A young NSW police officer with a "tremendous passion" for his work has died after he was critically injured in a car crash at Lucas Heights last week.
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Probationary Constable Timothy Proctor, 29, died in hospital on Sunday morning following a four-vehicle crash on Heathcote Road last Thursday.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller extended his condolences to Mr Proctor's wife, family, friends and colleagues at this "difficult time".
The 29-year-old had been working as an officer in general duties in Liverpool in Sydney's southwest after graduating from the police academy on April 27 last year.
"Timothy was certainly well on the way to a wonderful policing career and was well respected by his colleagues and all who knew him," Mr Fuller said in a statement.
"He joined the police force after being a volunteer firefighter and had a tremendous passion and commitment for all emergency services and the community."
Tributes have been flowing for the officer on Facebook.
"No words can describe the loss that I am feeling right now. I'm so proud of you Tim Proctor I love you so much," his brother Shawn Proctor posted on Sunday.
Stevan Cabrinovic described Mr Proctor as a "beautiful bloke, funny, caring and loved by all".
"We love you Tim Proctor. Thank you for those childhood memories. Rest in Paradise xx," Rachel Thi posted.
The probationary constable was heading north on Heathcote Road at Lucas Heights about 2pm on Thursday when his vehicle was hit by a car travelling in the opposition direction.
Dashcam footage of the incident appears to show a car drifting across the middle of the road before colliding head-on with Mr Proctor's vehicle.
He and a 65-year-old woman in the car that was heading south had to be freed from the wreckage before both were taken to Liverpool Hospital.
The woman remains in a critical condition.
NSW Police Minister Troy Grant described it as a "terrible crash".
"It's the worst call that a police minister can get, to be told that one of our own has been injured or killed in the course of their duties," Mr Grant said in a statement on Sunday.
"Probationary Constable Proctor will be deeply missed by his young wife and family. We can not imagine their grief for a life lost far too soon."
A NSW Police Association spokesman said the incident would affect officers across the state.
"The police family is a tight-knit one. When one of our own is hurt, it hits officers right around the state, particularly close colleagues, very hard," the spokesman said.
AAP
