The grieving family, friends and colleagues of an esteemed policeman have paid tribute to the talented cop who disappeared after going for a surf in Byron Bay.Â
Detective Inspector Jay Notaro, 45, disappeared on March 25 after he was spotted going for a surf at Broken Head near Byron Bay in northeastern New South Wales.
Search crews discovered his surfboard – with the leg rope attached – undamaged on the sand, while officers found his car and keys in a carpark about 500metres away.
His body has never been found.
Insp Notaro’s loved ones gathered on Friday at Sleeman Sports Complex in southeast Brisbane for a memorial hosted by Queensland Police.
Green Day’s hit single Good Riddance and Daryl Braithwaite’s The Horses played as the crowd filled the auditorium which was decorated with flowers, photos of Insp Notaro and a surf board.Â
Insp Notaro’s sister Hayley read the eulogy, taking a nervous breath and expressing her tumultuous emotions after having a baby a fortnight ago while also grieving.
‘I’m doing something I never thought I would have to do: reading my big brother’s eulogy. Not now, not ever. It doesn’t feel real,’ she said tearfully.
Detective Inspector Jay Notaro, 45, disappeared on March 25 after going for a surf (pictured)
Queensland Police Chaplain Jeff Baills (pictured) welcomed family, friends and colleagues to a memorial in Brisbane paying tribute to Insp Notaro’s life
She paid tribute to her punctual, book-loving, cheeky brother with charisma coming to define him throughout his life.Â
Ms Notaro said she was heartbroken her ‘baby boy wouldn’t be able to meet his incredible uncle’. Her son’s middle name is Jay.’
‘We miss you. That laugh, that wink, that cheeky smile. You weren’t just my brother, you were my hero,’ she said.
‘You will be in our hearts forever. And until we meet again, I’ll see you in my dreams.’
The 45-year-old had been staying in the Byron Bay for several days ahead of his 45th birthday. He was reportedly due to attend a birthday celebration dinner with his friends but pulled out with complaints he was feeling unwell.Â
Concerns about his disappearance were triggered at 12.40pm on March 26 after he failed to report for duty at Ipswich Police Station, west of Brisbane.Â
An extensive water, land and aerial search was launched but, after three days, NSW Police announced the rough weather conditions hindered efforts to locate him.Â
Insp Notaro was part of an inner circle of surfing mates which included Hollywood A-Lister Chris Hemsworth, 41.
Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth (pictured) was seen helping police in the desperate search
An extensive multi-agency search lasted for three days before officers were forced to call off the operation due to poor weather conditions
Family, friends and colleagues will gather for a memorial on Friday to remember Insp Notaro
Friends said he frequented Broken Head and often drove down from his Gold Coast home to surf with Hemsworth and former pro surfer Luke MunroÂ
During the multi-agency search, Hemsworth was seen speaking with police in the parking lot of Broken Head Reserve just 9km south of his hometown Byron Bay.
Insp Notaro quickly rose through the ranks as a homicide investigator after first joining Queensland police in Townsville in 2003.
He was instrumental in solving major cases including the bikie-linked slaying of Gold Coast victim Greg Dufty.
He received a ‘compassion in policing’ award by the Queensland Homicide Victims Support Group for support he offered Mr Dufty’s partner and family.
He then served in roles including officer in charge of the Gold Coast water police and Coomera police station.
Insp Notaro recently transferred to Ipswich after being promoted to inspector.
There has been an outpouring of tributes from local leaders and community organisations who knew Insp Notaro, including his rugby team and Mansfield State High School.
After the memorial on Friday, family and close friends have been invited to attend Easts Leagues Club.Â
