His colleagues lined White Street after the service on Thursday in a guard of honour, saluting his casket and family members as a final mark of respect.

Leading Senior Constable Frew’s death came as a shock to those around him, and wife Bec Frew thanked the hundreds of people at the funeral for their support to keep her strong.

“If everybody just took on that little bit of love and happiness, and shared it with everyone around them, what a wonderful world it would be,” she said

“You were my other half, my soulmate, my anchor in so many storms … You made our world a better place, you will be forever in our hearts.”

He was remembered as a proud father, larrikin big brother, devoted friend and although he was constantly making those around him laugh on and off the job, he was the ultimate professional as a police officer.

Daughter Kaycee Frew said the day was a chance to “celebrate the life of a very loved idiot”.

“My dad had the amazing ability to make people laugh in any circumstance, especially under serious ones. His cheeky smile and quirky personality is what we’ll all miss the most,” she said.

Leading Senior Constable Frew graduated the police academy in 1989, passing the final fitness test despite a broken collarbone he suffered while trying to do a stand-up somersault after winning a football final.

He served in Broadmeadows, Ararat and Horsham, before moving to Wangaratta in 2012.

Most of the speakers at the funeral recounted Leading Senior Constable Frew’s favourite piece of trivia he would constantly ask family, friends, colleagues and even people he pulled over on the road: when was the Battle of Hastings?

Wangaratta Highway Patrol Sergeant Michael Connors confirmed the legend that the officer was always looking for a motorist who knew the right answer, 1066. “If they got that correct, there was a chance of them getting a warning,” he said.

Leading Senior Constable Frew’s call sign “Wangaratta 610” has been retired as a mark of respect.

Thursday’s service was also attended by Acting Chief Commissioner Andrew Crisp and Acting Assistant Commissioner Clive Rust.

Donations to the Starlight Children’s Foundation were being collected by the family in lieu of flowers.

Leading Senior Constable Gavin Frew was a man of extraordinary light and good humour, but he was also one of many police officers who suffered post-traumatic stress disorder.

His family now want to raise awareness of the condition.

Long-time friend Anthony Hoffmann told Thursday’s service about the many good times he had with Leading Senior Constable Frew, but said things had to change when it came to dealing with PTSD.

“Over the years we’d always get together and trade some war stories - some funny, some not so funny - but we’d never talk about how these moments affected us, I guess mainly because silently we did not want to appear weak,” he said. 

“This is wrong and we need to change this attitude. 

“If there’s one thing we can and should take away from this tragedy, it’s that we need to change this macho culture and to learn to talk and to ask for help when we need it, otherwise we’ll needlessly lose more sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters - enough is enough. 

“I implore you to take this message away today: life is precious and our time here short, so we owe it to our loved ones to be the best we can, but we can’t do that alone so it’s time to man up and be honest with those around you. 

“Don’t wait to be asked, just please ask for help if you need it.”

Mr Hoffmann said his friend was a very courageous man, looking out for teammates on the football field and in other parts of life.

“He never took a backwards step, even when the odds were stacked against him,” he said.

If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available by calling Lifeline on 13 11 14.