As well as arresting thieves, breaking up brawls and counselling teenagers, he volunteers at the town's football team, hospital, information centre and lake management committee.

But he wouldn't hesitate to charge someone he knows, even a friend, if they were drink-driving, hitting their wife or pushing drugs.

"They know full well that I've got a job to do. And if they don't want to toe the line, they've got to suffer the consequences because that's what the community expects of me as a policeman."

Leading Senior Constable Stomann "nearly fell over backwards" at being awarded the Australian Police Medal in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours. He accepts it on behalf of all police at Victoria's single-member stations. 

His citation describes him as a strong leader and "the epitome of what a one-member station commander should be". It states: "He has been able to achieve the difficult balance of policing while also being an integral part of the community which he serves."

Leading Senior Constable Stomann, who grew up in Seymour, joined the force in 1974 because he wanted to help people and work outdoors. After 12 years in Seymour, he applied to work at Boort, 100 kms north of Bendigo, because being part of a small rural community appealed to him. 

The town has a lake, a P-12 school, two pubs, a shopping centre and doctor.

The incident rate is low but it falls to him to act if needed. He once had to inform the football team a coach had been killed in an accident. 

After suicides, he has had to counsel the families. "They look at you for an answer and you can't give them one. And you wish you could."

He says the key to dealing with agitated people is patience. "If you talk to them properly and let them have their, as I say, 'one minute glory' you'll get round them. Just let them get their frustration out. Instead of being aggressive back, let them have their one or two minutes and then say, 'yes, but this is what we need to do' or 'you need to come with me', and nine times out of 10, you win the war."