{"id":10986,"date":"2025-07-21T13:47:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T13:47:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/10986\/"},"modified":"2025-07-21T13:47:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T13:47:09","slug":"aussie-cop-37-suddenly-dies-in-front-of-his-young-family-on-a-holiday-at-a-beach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/10986\/","title":{"rendered":"Aussie cop, 37, suddenly dies in front of his young family on a holiday at a beach"},"content":{"rendered":"

By CHARLOTTE MCINTYRE FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 05:02 EDT, 21 July 2025 | Updated: 06:23 EDT, 21 July 2025 <\/p>\n

A young family’s holiday at the beach turned to tragedy after their police officer dad suddenly died while enjoying a well deserved break from duty.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Paul Leslie Matts, 37, from Orange in the NSW<\/a> Central Tablelands region, died unexpectedly on July 8 after suffering a medical episode on the sand while playing with his children.<\/p>\n

He leaves behind his wife Danni Matts, his daughter Harlow and son Xavier, and his step-children Archer and Jasmine.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The NSW Police sergeant, formerly of Coffs Harbour, had been an officer for more than 16 years.<\/p>\n

His widow’s close friends, Jenna McAtamney and Sarah Wilkinson, paid tribute to the fallen police officer.<\/p>\n

They have established a\u00a0GoFundMe<\/a> page on behalf of his children and his heartbroken wife who are ‘facing life without their loving dad and step-dad’.<\/p>\n

‘This loss has left the family devastated and in need of support as they begin to navigate this new reality,’ it read.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The sergeant and his wife’s youngest child, Xavier, is just 8-months-old.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Paul <\/p>\n

Paul Leslie Matts (pictured with his wife Danni, his daughter Harlow and\u00a0step-children Archer and Jasmine) died on July 8 while on holiday with his family<\/p>\n

\"Mr <\/p>\n

Mr Matts (pictured with his eight-month-old son Xavier) had been a NSW officer for 16 years<\/p>\n

\"Mr <\/p>\n

Mr Matts’ family have been left devastated by the tragic loss<\/p>\n

The officer had previously been the local policeman in the small town of Burren Junction, where his MP, Roy Butler, thanked him in parliament for organising a community day in 2020.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘To repay Burren for being so welcoming, Paul organised a family fun day for the town. He moved heaven and earth to put on an afternoon and evening of entertainment from slip ‘n’ slides, a visit from Santa and a raffle for a family holiday.<\/p>\n

‘The purpose of the event was twofold: to say thank you and to help people take their minds off the drought. On behalf on Burren Junction, thank you.’<\/p>\n

His widow’s friends explained that she is trying to be strong for her children and is learning to financially support her family following the loss.<\/p>\n

Mr Matts was a ‘great father’ and ‘will be very missed by his children’, Ms McAtamney and Ms Wilkinson said.<\/p>\n

‘Danni is doing everything she can to stay strong for her kids, but she cannot do it alone.’<\/p>\n

Friends and loved ones of the family shared their condolences on a Facebook post announcing his death.<\/p>\n

‘A beautiful soul gone way too soon. RIP buddy,’ one wrote.<\/p>\n

‘So sorry for your loss David and Julie, thinking of you both,’ another shared.<\/p>\n

‘Thinking of you Julie, David and family, sending my deepest condolences,’ a third commented.<\/p>\n

‘So very sad to see someone so young pass away. RIP,’ another said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The officer also leaves behind his parents David and Julie, and his sisters Catherine and Rebecca.<\/p>\n

His funeral will be held on Thursday in Coffs Harbour.<\/p>\n

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