The law enforcement community and family are mourning the loss of Morgan Spruce, a dedicated police officer and cherished father-of-two, who has died at the age of 41 after a prolonged and courageous battle with bowel cancer. Mr Spruce passed away on April 19, leaving behind his wife Emma and their two young sons, Darcy and Harvey.
Tributes from the Police Community
A member of the NSW Fallen Police Facebook page confirmed the sad news on Tuesday, noting that Mr Spruce had served in Class 331 and was believed to have been stationed at Tuggerah Lakes during his career. The post highlighted his passing after his fight with bowel cancer and extended sympathies to his surviving family.
Group members quickly shared heartfelt condolences and personal memories of Mr Spruce. One individual wrote, 'RIP Morgan. You were a genuine bloke,' while another recalled, 'We knew something was funny when you reacted with that singular chuckle.' These tributes underscore the deep respect and affection held for him within the police fraternity.
Support and Eligibility Concerns
In the discussion, a third member suggested that the Spruce family might be eligible for assistance from NSW Police Legacy. However, the original commenter clarified that Mr Spruce had resigned from the force before his death, which affected eligibility for certain benefits.
'He didn't die on the job or be medically retired, his family don't qualify,' they explained. Despite this, they praised NSW Police Legacy for providing a valuable list of resources for grief support, noting that Mr Spruce had enjoyed quality time with his family in the years following his resignation.
GoFundMe Campaign for the Family
To support the Spruce family during this difficult time, a GoFundMe page was launched by friend Alex White on April 10. The campaign description stated, 'Following the devastating news of Morgan's cancer diagnosis I have set up this page as a central point for all of the different communities and supports in Morgan and Emma's lives to be able to share their love and support.'
It further detailed that the funds raised would assist the family, including their two young sons, both immediately and in the future. The page has garnered significant community response, with $8,835 raised at the time of writing, reflecting widespread kindness and generosity toward the Spruces.
This tragic loss highlights the personal struggles faced by those in public service and the outpouring of support from colleagues and the broader community in times of need.
