- Published:
- Thursday 23 April 2020 at 2:20 pm
The police family is in mourning after the loss of four of our own in a tragic incident in Kew.
- Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor.
- Constable Glen Humphris.
- Senior Constable Kevin King.
- Constable Josh Prestney.
Their names will forever be remembered, their service honoured, and their memories celebrated.
These officers were undertaking their everyday duties in helping to keep the community safe when they were killed.
They were members of our Road Policing Drug and Alcohol Section and Highway Patrol. They were our colleagues, our friends, our squad mates, our family.
Each from different backgrounds, each with different life experiences, each with a common goal to keep the community safe.
Their families will never be the same and our thoughts and prayers are with them.
We continue to investigate this incident to ensure that we uncover every detail that led to this tragic outcome. We will do this for those we have lost and for their families.
Committing one’s life to serving and protecting others is a truly unique attribute. It takes a special person to put on the blue uniform and turn up to work each day to respond to those in need.
They do it to protect. They do it to make a difference.
As many will attest, the everyday nature of police work can sometimes seem mundane, but this week’s events are a timely reminder of how quickly that can change.
No one goes to work expecting not to return home to their loved ones at the end of their shift.
I want to acknowledge every man and woman that has in the past and continues to serve for Victoria Police. Your contributions are recognised and respected at every level, and you should know this.
To the serving police officers and PSOs currently on our frontline and the staff who provide support to them, I want to extend my sincere gratitude for your ongoing support and commitment to your duty.
It is more important now than ever, that we look after one another and speak up if we need help or someone to talk to.
Time and time again, I am overwhelmed by how our people rally together during the tough and challenging times – through natural disasters, state-wide emergencies, mass tragedies and the loss of our own.
They go where they are needed, without question and without hesitation.
We stand side by side in our daily response to the Victorian community. And today we stand side by side as we reflect and grieve.
The outpouring of community support to date has been truly remarkable and touching and on behalf of Victoria Police, I thank you for this.
It will take time for many to recover from this tragedy, but we should take comfort in knowing that we stand together as a police family and as a Victorian community.
If you would like to express your condolences, please visit the Victoria Police facebook page and post them at the Victoria Police In Memoriam group page.
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