Long-serving policeman Keith Currie, Norm Rosas and Francis Hayes.

The Northern Territory Police Association this week paid tribute to Mr Currie who passed away this week at the age of 60.

"Keith joined the NT Police in 1978 and retired in August 2019," the association said.

"During his time in the force, Keith was stationed at a number of locations including Borroloola, Kalkaringi and Katherine.

"Our deepest condolences to Keith's family, friends and colleagues."

The former Senior Constable was the NT's last "three digit cop".

He was the 937th police officer in the Territory when he joined the service in May 1978.

"I had just turned 19. I grew up in rural New South Wales and I was working in a bank for three years. I saw an advertisement in the Sydney Morning Herald for Territory police and I applied,'' he told the Katherine Times in 2016.

"A sense of community is very important,'' he said.

"We (police officers) are part of that community regardless of conflict we may have to deal with or certain groups."

Katherine MLA Sandra Nelson read condolences into the parliamentary record on Thursday for Norm Rosas and Francis Hayes.

Ms Nelson said Mr Hayes grew up in Katherine in the 1950s and spent his youth serving in the army and playing sport.

Mr Hayes was a decorated veteran, she said.

"He signed up for the military against his mother's wishes, but made strong friendships in the army and enjoyed his time in service. Even if some of the things he did and saw greatly impacted his life later on.

"Mr Hayes was a Ngalakan man who lived and selflessly gave to his community for most of his life. In his younger years, Mr Hayes served Australia as the first Indigenous soldier from the Katherine region. Upon returning from service, Mr Hayes continued to give back to his community through tireless efforts to improve the health of men and vulnerable people in Katherine."

Mr Hayes sat on the board of Wurli Wurlinjang Health Service.

Ms Nelson said Norm Rosas was a hard-working man who was at one time the president of the Wurli-Wurlinjang Health Centre.

"Norm was also for a time an elected alderman on the Katherine Town Council and was a member on a number of committees such as the Historical Society, Road Safety and the YMCA.

"Norm is remembered by his family and friends as a man who had a great zest for life and love of the land and especially an enduring passion for his family and friends. I am sure there are many in Katherine who will smile when they remember the time that would bump into him and say, 'How are you dad, uncle, mate'. His response would always be; 'Any better and I would be dangerous.' "

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