MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillor and Victoria Police officer Julie Morris said the deaths of four police in a horror crash on the Eastern Freeway, Wednesday 22 April, had “been felt in police stations right across the state”.
“I’d like to thank our local community for the flowers, cards and messages of support,” she said. “The kindness we’ve seen and your words of support are encouraging and we thank you for standing beside us at this difficult time, as we mourn and reflect on the loss of our colleagues and friends.”
Cr Morris was speaking after Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor was farewelled at a private funeral, Thursday 30 April. She and colleagues Senior Constable Kevin King, Constable Glen Humphris and Constable Josh Prestney died on duty when they were struck by a truck, 4.30pm.
Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Sam Hearn said the community’s thoughts and prayers were with their families and friends and the Victorian police fraternity.
“On behalf of the council I also want to share a message of support to our local police officers throughout the peninsula,” he said.
After the funeral service, police from across the peninsula and the state observed one minute’s silence, forming guards-of-honour at their stations, and by turning on their vehicles’ headlights.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 5 May 2020
