Slain New South Wales paramedic Steven Tougher has been remembered as a man with a big heart and strong sense of justice during a celebration of his life.
Premier Chris Minns was among more than 1,000 people who paid tribute to the 29-year-old at a service in Wollongong on Monday morning.
The husband and father – who married just seven weeks ago – was allegedly stabbed to death while on a break with his colleague outside a McDonald's restaurant in Sydney's south-west a fortnight ago.
Jordan Fineanganofo, 21, has been charged with murder and his case remains before the courts.
During the service Mr Tougher was remembered as a man with limitless potential who was taken too soon.
"Every single one of his colleagues has spoken about his larger-than-life personality, his sense of humour, but also his strong sense of natural justice," NSW Ambulance Commissioner Dominic Morgan said.
"Everything about Steven was big.
"From his big heart, to his big height … his big smile, his big laugh, his enthusiasm and commitment for everything that he did."
'Selfless, hard-working, compassionate'
Mr Tougher's father Jeff said the family's days had been "cloudy and grey" since his son died.
He spoke on behalf of his wife Jill, who was too emotional to address the service.
"His compassion was as big as his heart and his bear hugs were something to be experienced," Mr Tougher said.
"Since he's been gone the mornings are cloudy and grey and the nights are long and dark.
"My heart has been smashed and aches to hear his voice.
"I miss my beautiful boy."
Mr Tougher's expecting wife said she fell for him the moment they met at the Harp Hotel in Wollongong.
"Knowing how many lives you've touched during your time here makes me feel so privileged and proud to tell people that I am your wife," Madison Tougher said.
"Today I vow that our two beautiful children will always know what a selfless, hard-working, kind, compassionate person you were.
"They will forever know how their dad was a hero who helped people through their most painful and sickest times."
Kate Hannigan, a classmate of Mr Tougher's, told the packed hall that the former nurse, who was almost two metres tall, was a "passionate, funny and supportive individual".
"In class he was always one of the first ones to volunteer for things, such as being the patient to sit in the stair chair while we carried him down the stairs," she said.
"He added extra stress to the situation by grabbing on to the railing on the way down.
"There were also a few ambulance driving mishaps while Steve just happened to be behind the wheel, including a very hairy 12-point turn that almost got the ambulance stuck."
Following the service, attendees formed a guard of honour along Northfield Avenue, outside the University of Wollongong, as a hearse drove Mr Tougher's coffin away.
Three helicopters performed a flyover at the conclusion of the service.
Dad's push for 'Steven's Law'
Mr Minns and state Health Minister Ryan Park said Mr Tougher would never be forgotten.
"He was a kind and dedicated man doing a job he loved in the service of his state," Mr Minns said.
Jeff Tougher met with NSW Premier Chris Minns and the state's health minister, Ryan Park, to call for stronger laws to protect frontline workers following his son's death.
Mr Tougher lobbied for mandatory prison terms and life sentences for emergency services workers assaulted or killed while on the job.
He has proposed calling the reforms "Steven's Law".
Mr Park has previously said the NSW government would consider a raft of measures to address the issue.
