ONE of the city's shining lights and a mentor within the police community has lost his life in a single-vehicle accident on the Federal Highway on Monday morning.
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Constable Graeme John Lees' death has shocked and saddened the Goulburn community who knew him as a loyal and caring person, an accomplished cricketer and hockey player, a tall man with a big heart and an easy going nature.
The 37-year-old was travelling from his Eastgrove home to work at Queanbeyan police station on Monday when his car left a straight section of the southbound lane of the Federal Highway, 1km north of Rowes Lagoon, at about 5am.
His light-coloured Commodore sedan careered down a slight embankment and crashed into a tree in a paddock on the western side of the road. Police said he was killed instantly.
A motorist discovered the accident and contacted emergency services shortly after 6am.
A full investigation by the Dapto crash investigation unit is underway for the NSW coroner.
Goulburn born and bred, Mr Lees was the only son of John and Diana Lees of Kelso St, sister to Michelle and a loving father. He attended Goulburn South Primary and Goulburn High schools and worked in several jobs before training as a psychiatric nurse.
He was a giant in the local sporting community, having played through the local and representative hockey and cricket ranks, forming enduring friendships along the way.
