'True hero' female police officer dies aged 33 after cancer battle
A Queensland community is mourning the death of a 33-year-old senior police officer who died after a “very courageous battle” with cancer.
Detective Senior Constable Kelly Mason, who died on Sunday, was diagnosed with a rare form of cervical cancer in November 2017, according to Respect Aussie Police & Emergency Services’s Facebook page.
Det Snr Cst Mason, who worked on the Sunshine Coast, joined the Queensland Police Service in 2008 and went on to become a lead investigator with the Ipswich Child Protection Investigation Unit.
She worked at Goodna and Springfield police stations in Queensland before becoming a detective.
It is during her training as a detective she met her soul mate, best friend and eventual husband Josh Mason.
They moved to the Sunshine Coast where she continued her detective work and they married on March 12, 2016.
“As Kel and Josh began to set a life together fate stepped in and showed her hand,” the post reads.
“Beautiful Kel was diagnosed with rare form of cervical cancer in November 2017.
“Kel fought the good fight and never once let her situation bring her down, as sick as she was she made the most of life living every minute for her family and her friends which meant the world to her.”
Det Snr Cst Mason was described as a police officer with “dogged determination” with “the admiration of many officers”.
Friends and family took to Facebook to pay tribute to the 33-year-old.
The police officer’s cousin, Katelann Grealy, wrote Det Snr Cst Mason touched the hearts of everyone who met her.
“Your beauty, love for life, strength and courageous spirit always shined bright where ever you went,” she wrote.
“Your kindness and love for others was always selfless and you always put others first. You will be dearly missed and I will always cherish the memories we shared forever.”
Another woman wrote she felt blessed to have known “such a beautiful and brave person” and described the detective as “a true hero”.
Others thanked Det Snr Cst Mason for her work protecting children.
“Sending respect and condolences to a brave service lady who made a big difference,” one person wrote.
The family is appealing for help with financial costs following the 33-year-old’s death.
You can donate here:
ANZ Bank
BSB: 014672
Account: 221316906
Account name: Joshua Mason
