43-year-old Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson from Port Stephens Local Area Command died when his vehicle hit a tree at Allandale at about 11.50pm.

Standing outside of Nelson Bay police station on Sunday morning Commissioner Scipione said Sergeant Richardson provided 18 years of dedicated and distinguished service to the people of NSW.

"It's a very sad day for the NSW Police Force today.

"We have farewelled one of our officers.

"43-year-old Geoffrey Richardson from the Port Stephens Local Area Command was tragically lost to us, killed in a motor vehicle accident just before midnight last night".

Commissioner Scipione met with Sergeant Richardson's wife, Senior Constable Margaret King, and two children on Sunday morning to offer his condolences.

He said police had been at the family home since last night and would remain there to offer their support.

Sergeant Richardson graduated from the NSW Police Academy in 1998. He served the Campbelltown Local Area Command as a Constable until 2005, when he was transferred to Cobar and promoted to the rank of Senior Constable.

In April 2010, he was transferred to Central Hunter Local Area Command, before moving to Lake Macquarie Local Area Command upon his promotion to the rank of Sergeant in December 2010.

He served Lake Macquarie until July of 2015, at which time he transferred to Port Stephens Local Area Command.

He was the recipient of numerous awards, including a Regional Commander's Commendation for Bravery after he arrested a number of offenders while off-duty at Nelson Bay in 2012.

In a statement, NSW Police said: "In every sense, he was a hard-working, highly regarded, popular and committed police officer, who will be sorely missed by the organisation he so ably represented and the communities he diligently served.

"Above all else, he was a loving and much-loved husband and father. His wife, Senior Constable Margaret King, and his two young sons, are naturally devastated, and we ask that their privacy be respected during this extremely difficult time.

"As the men and women of this organisation always do in times of tragedy, we will band together and support Sergeant Richardson's family, his friends and each other through this extremely difficult situation," the statement said.

Sergeant Richardson had responded to calls for help in a police pursuit through the Hunter when the crash occurred on Lovedale Road about 11.50pm.

Paramedics attended but the officer, who was the only occupant of the vehicle, died at the scene.

It is believed the pursuit started in Central Hunter local area command and had been terminated and restarted a number of times. The car is also believed to have been involved in police pursuits in previous days. No one was arrested on Saturday night.

Newcastle Crash Investigation Unit will assist a critical incident team to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

That investigation will be overseen by the Professional Standards Command.

"All information will be provided to the coroner who will determine the cause of death and make any findings about the events leading to the officer's death," a police statement said.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Anyone who can assist police should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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