Top cop ‘blown away’ by huge honour

South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens has been nominated for 2025 Australian of the Year.

The commissioner’s nomination for the prestigious honour, which salutes the contributions of Australians from across the country, is centred on his remarkable response to the tragic 2023 hit-and-run crash that took the life of his young son Charlie.

Charlie, 18, was struck by a car while out celebrating schoolies with friends at Goolwa Beach on November 17 last year.

He suffered irreversible brain damage in the horrific hit and passed away at Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide, surrounded by family and friends.

Despite the devastation of the shock event, Commissioner Stevens pressed the public to remember the human element in road death statistics, penning a public letter in which he paid tribute to Charlie as “101”, or the 101st person to lose their life on the state’s roads that year.

“101 is Charles Stevens – Charlie, Charlie Boy, Chas, Links, Steve. You lived life and gave so much to so many. You were a force of nature and we will never forget your beautiful cheeky, disarming smile,” he wrote.

“Son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin, friends, workmate, teammate. So much more than just a number on a tragic tally.”

He and his wife Emma encouraged organ donation and donations to Operation Flinders Foundation in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Speaking with ABC Adelaide on Friday morning, Commissioner Stevens said he was “blown away” by the nomination.

“To be honest with you, I was pretty overwhelmed when I received a phone call advising me that I was nominated, so much so I thought maybe it was one of my staff members having a lend of me,” he said.

“Once I confirmed it was a genuine phone call, I was blown away by the fact someone had considered nominating me for something I think is quite a prestigious honour given the people from South Australia who have won it before.”

He said Emma had served as a rock for him throughout the year.

“I really appreciate the fact you’ve acknowledged Emma, because this isn’t just me,” he said.

“I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing without Emma’s support.”

He said his guiding star continued to be his family.

“We’ve got four other kids, and we’re lucky now to have two grandchildren,” he said.

“And I have to say Emma and I are really strong together. We support each other a lot.

“Every day there are times of sadness now, but we are surrounded by great friends. We’ve got a great family. We still smile, we still laugh … I suppose you’ve got two options. You do put one foot in front of the other, and keep moving forward, or you don’t.”

Commissioner Stevens, who was elevated to the top job in 2015 and reappointed in 2020, is nominated alongside Professor Leah Bromfield, Dr Sarah Cannard, Grantley Stevens and Dr Hannah Wardill in the South Australia contingent.