South Australia’s police commissioner has given a heartbreaking eulogy at a public twilight service, remembering his son Charlie who had “a big heart and a good soul”.

The 18-year-old died after an alleged hit-and-run in the state’s south coast, where he was celebrating Schoolies.

The memorial service is being held at Adelaide Oval, where senior police from the country have arrived to pay respects.

Commissioner Grant Stevens delivered an emotional eulogy with his wife Emma standing by his side, breaking down in tears as he farewelled his youngest son.

“Charlie Stevens was no angel, but he was a good boy,” he said.

“He did have a big personality, a big heart and a good soul.

“We said you were a force of nature, full of energy, unstoppable, unforgettable.

“We are heartbroken now that we can’t think of you without smiling.

‘We have missed you everyday since we said goodbye and we will always miss you. We will love you forever, Charlie boy.”

The father spoke of the youngest son’s “cheeky ratbag streak”, his sporting nature, how he switched from being a Tigers supporter to a Cats fan, and how proud the 18-year-old was of his dreadlocks.

“Charlie loved to tell stories instead of the truth. His response to a simple question would often without hesitation involve some elaborate fiction delivered with a straight face,” Mr Stevens said.

“It was only a few months ago when Emma and I were in Bali, he told us over the phone that he was getting another sausage dog and there was nothing we could do about it because we weren’t due home for a week.”

“He was bulls****ing of course but he got the reaction he wanted.

“Charlie’s friends were important to him and there isn’t one of them that we don’t like or respect.

“It’s meant the world to us that Charlie’s mates have spent so much time with us since we lost him.

“It’s warmed our hearts to have that group of boys just being in our home eating with us, raising a glass to Charlie, emptying the beer fridge and just being around.”

After the eulogy, Mr Stevens gave his son’s coffin a kiss.

‘Forever young’

The service started with a song written and sung by Charlie’s brother Tom, which included the lyrics “and even when the days get hard, there’s one thing that we all know, the great big sun will rise, early tomorrow”.

Tom remembered his little brother as his “best friend, my biggest rival, my number one fan”.

“For many of the early years I remember Charlie as a curious entertaining little fellow that followed my every footstep, questioning everything around him and looking at life through a passionate unique way,” he said.

“We wore the same clothes, worked the same job, bought the same car, cracked the same jokes, shared the same big group of mates — and it felt more and more like I was talking to myself every time he called.

“We were cut from the same stone and understood each other better than anyone else.”

Charlie’s sister Sophie spoke of her love for the young man.

“You packed your 18 years of life to the brim, leaving behind the best memories for your friends and your family to cherish forever.

“You’ve been taken from us in the cruellest of ways and our hearts are shattering more and more, day by day.”

Outpouring of community support

Before the service began, Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Harvey thanked the community and read a statement on behalf of the commissioner, Grant Stevens, and his family.

“Today we say goodbye to our most precious, wonderful and beautiful Charlie who was so suddenly taken from us,” he said.

“There are simply no words to describe the grief we are all feeling at this time.

“The love and support from family, friends, teammates, school colleagues and many people from across the community as been incredible and so greatly appreciated.

“The flowers, cards, telephone calls, text messages and social media wishes have not stopped.

“And the feeling of total support has helped us all deal with Charlie’s passing as best we can.

“We are overwhelmed and eternally grateful. Sincerely, thank you to everyone who has contacted us in some way.

“Now is the time for us to regroup as a family and focus on how we move forward without our very, very special Charlie.”

Donation in lieu of flowers

Charlie’s family had requested people consider making a donation to Operation Flinders Foundation — which the commissioner is a board member of — in lieu of flowers.

The foundation works with young people aged 13-18, running an eight-day program in the Northern Flinders Ranges.

The state government has announced it will donate $100,000, with Premier Peter Malinauskas stating it was a “fitting way to honour Charlie”.

The government’s one-off donation is in addition to its existing funding to the foundation of about $500,000 per year.

Earlier today, Mr Malinauskas thanked the police commissioner and his wife Emma for “opening up their hearts” by sharing the service with the public.

Mr Malinauskas reflected on the state’s horror road toll this year, highlighted in a letter written by Charlie’s parents.

“People will recall that extraordinary letter that Grant and Emma Stevens wrote where Charlie was mentioned as the 101st life lost on our roads throughout the course of this year as a really clear reminder just how important road safety is,” he said.

“Tragically, since Charlie died as the 101st life lost on our roads this year, another four people since have lost their life.”