Tributes flow for brave police heroes

Victorians have shared tributes for the four police officers who tragically lost their lives in a horrific crash on the Eastern Freeway. Read the messages of thanks and support, and leave your own.

The Sunday Herald Sun today stands with the families of four police officers killed in the line of duty on the Eastern Freeway.

And in a show of support we will be making a donation from today’s newspaper sales to the Victoria Police Legacy Remembrance Fund for those loved ones.

Already Victorians have pledged more than $280,000 in honour of Leading Sen-Constable Lynette Taylor, Sen-Constable Kevin King, Constable Glen Humphris and Constable Josh Prestney, killed when a truck ploughed into them during a traffic stop on Wednesday.

Sunday Herald Sun editor Nick Papps said: “The death of these officers has rocked this state to the core’.

“It’s moments like this we come together as one and we wanted to show these families how much we care by making this donation and by using our pages to unite this community behind Victoria Police,’’ he said.

“We will always back the members of Victoria Police and this tragedy reminds us of the price they pay to protect us.’’

Retail giant Bunnings yesterday pledged to match the Sunday Herald Sun’s donation, with managing director Michael Schneider saying, “it’s such a worthy cause, and at a time of year where we stop to reflect and pay thanks to those who serve and keep us safe, it’s even more important.”

“The loss felt by the families and members of Victoria Police has resonated across our whole community,’’ Mr Schneider said.

Herald and Weekly Times chairman Penny Fowler said “as a company we wanted to support these families and legacy and we would encourage others to throw their support behind this cause too”.

Constable Glen Humphris.

Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor.

Constable Joshua Prestney.

Senior Constable Kevin King.

Yesterday the state government pledged $200,000 for the legacy fund, on behalf of all Victorians, with Premier Daniel Andrews saying, “To every member of Victoria Police, and to their loved one, we say: we stand with you, we support you and we grieve with you.’’

Victoria Police Legacy chief executive officer Lex de Man, whose charity has established the fund, told the Sunday Herald Sun: “It is the greatest loss of life in any incident in the history of Victoria Police and in the history of our state.

“It is one of those acts we will never forget and generations will continue to talk about. It’s unbelievable.

“You just feel for the families — it’s devastating for them.”

Every cent from the fund would go to supporting the officers’ families.

“It’s the intangible that is behind it that I think emotionally will mean so much to the family members,’’ Mr de Man said.

“It’s Victoria saying ‘We’re with you and thank you for the service of your loved ones’.

“It’s saying we’re standing here with you.”

Our readers have shared messages of thanks and support for the officers, their families, and the broader Victoria Police community.

Please scroll below to our comments section to leave your own tribute to the officers. Please include your name and suburb.

Alison Gault: Our front gate ribbon. Desperately sad for the families and friends of those we’ve lost. No words can help but know that the love, support and appreciation is felt by thousands of total strangers.

Megan Ellena: "Showing our respect yesterday after the tragic loss of our brothers and sister, and a dear friend. Kingy, you’ll be missed like nothing else, sending all of our love to your family, friends, and everyone who was honoured enough to have met you."

Such a sad day four young adults losing their lives in a split second. My condolence to their families, colleagues and friends. Your pain would be unimaginable and to everyone on site especially the first responders and VicPol who attended it must have been so difficult. Victoria Police will make sure you will never be forgotten. Sandy Symons – via Facebook

Condolences to all the families. Michael James Harrington – via Facebook

Thinking of you all. Rae Dunn – via Facebook

A flag flies.

Susie Knight shared this image.

Four lives taken. What more can we say. Very sad times for there families and Vic Police. Thankyou for doing what you do best. Kerrie McLachlan – via Facebook

My heart goes out to your family too. Pat Morrison – via Facebook

Darren Mead: “Words cannot describe this tragedy accurately enough! But as a fellow sheepdog we will all continue to watch over the flock trying to keep the wolves away! RIP brothers and sister go with love and the knowledge that we have your back and we will continue your good work!”

Jo House: "I have no words of healing for the families and colleagues. We are eternally grateful for their service and sacrifice."

My Heart goes out for the sad loss May their families be comforted and cared at this sad time. Joyce Walsh – via Facebook

We honour this young policeman and his colleagues who sadly lost their lives in the line of duty. Never to be forgotten. Our heartfelt prayers go out to their families friends and colleagues at this sad time. Rayelene Rob Droney – via Facebook

Rebecca Skipper-Dowsell: "My 9 year old’s drawing"

Caz Van Ross: "A tribute to Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King, Constable Glen Humphris and Constable Joshua Prestney. Our deepest condolences go to your family and friends. Thank you for your service …"

So sad. Love and sympathy to all their loved ones. Maureen Shaw – via Facebook

I grieve for our loss. Your loss, is ours also. For the families/colleagues whose lives with be forever changed because of the vacancy. Stay strong. Mandy Green – via Facebook

Laura Valier-D'Abate: "From our family to yours. Thank you for your service."

Deborah Morganti: "Our deepest sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of the police officers who died while protecting the community. Queenslanders share your grief. Our thoughts and prayers are with you."

This is such a tragedy. My heart goes out to all his family and friends. Amanda Kelley – via Facebook

Such a terrible tragedy. Feel so sorry for all their family’s and friends. Also the work colleagues who had to attend this awful accident. Have such a huge respect for them all. So sad to see a unforgettable accident and was heartbreaking to hear how it happened. Glenys Colledge – via Facebook

Heather Budge Fiander: "This was posted on the Narre Warren Berwick Casey Dandenong Buy Sell page and I thought it need to be [shared]. The boy’s mother had given permission for it to be shared."

Kelly Ziccone: "I am rather disappointed with how my ribbon attempt turned out, but otherwise I hope this small display of support shows our condolences and respect to our men and women in blue, and to our community at large."

May they all rest in peace. My sympathy to all there family and friends. Katherin Lotter – via Facebook

Such a tragedy. Deepest sympathy to their families. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and also to those who had to attend the tragic and horrific scene where the four police persons lost their lives, whilst on the job. May they rest in peace. Halina Kiryk – via Facebook

Karen Kazza Webb: "Thank you for your service. Condolences to all families, friends, colleagues & triple-0 services. Our hearts are aching. RIP #NagambieVic"

Meredith DeMar: "There are no words. Thank you to Victoria Police for all you did to make my late son’s dream and wish come true and support after his passing. Below is a tribute with the Police items we have been gifted over time and my top from last years R4K. RIP Thank you for your service."

Four people doing a duty, a community service no less deepest sympathy to their families, colleagues and friends, just sad evil and stupidity crossed their paths. God. Bless them. Jennifer Lenton – via Facebook

Such a tragedy! My heart felt condolences to their family and friends. Rest in peace. Janne Kovacs – via Facebook

Sian Fitzpatrick: "I’ve been feeling pretty helpless as a lot of us have. Just the tiniest of gesture I can show on my front lawn. My heart bleeds for the poor officers families, friends and colleagues. know that so many people are here and thinking of you all. Take care of one another."

It breaks my heart. I have no words. Rest in peace. Jenny Repper – via Facebook

May they rest in peace. Tony Cassar – via Facebook

Corie Everard: "Candles for 4 beautiful, courageous hearts. Condolences from Newcastle NSW."

I think we all feel the same, shock, disgust and the sadness for their families/ partners, and all that they will have to go through. Linda Brown – via Facebook

A very sad day for Australia. Saliu Izet – via Facebook

Jay Tee: "I'd like to thank everyone for their kind messages and thoughts over the last few days. I didn't personally know the Vic Pol heroes, but like so many of my fellow colleagues this tragedy has rocked me to the core. We're so devasted by the horrific circumstances surrounding their death. The community support has been amazing and I can honestly say it has stregnthed my faith in humanity. To Tessa Woodley for the beautiful wreath, to my amazing family and friends who've sent messages and to my local community. Thank you from Dan and I and our VP colleagues."

Such a sad day. Four innocent lives taken so tragically condolences to all Families. Dot Newham- via Facebook

Police work so tirelessly to keep us safe. This should not have happened. Vale to those wonderful officers. Andrea Hingston – via Facebook

Paul Seidel: Firstly, I'd like to acknowledge if you know the members involved in the tragic event yesterday, and I feel for you. Secondly, as a VicPol radio dispatcher of 16 years, you can never steel yourself against everything that comes your way. I was working yesterday and was with colleagues who dealt with this situation – and I can only feel heartache for what they had to do, yet did so in fine spirit of getting the job done. I've avoided watching/listening to the news and I appreciate calls from police members I know ringing this morning to check in on how I was going – it's affected all of us, and will continue to do so in this unsettled world we're in right now. I'm quite sad, but I just hope you keep well and don't be afraid to reach out and do the "R U OK" thing – now, more than ever, it's the best question you can ask whether you're public or police. And an amazing tribute with police right across Victoria putting their blueys on for a minute of silence this evening. I feel like I've lost one of my own even though I've never met them – it's the "butterfly effect".

I’m heartbroken for the families of these great officers, im thinking of you all and hope you can find a way to get through this. Daniel Felmingham – via Facebook

Condolences to all their families and Victoria Police. Phillip Shakallis – via Facebook

A floral tribute.

Ilija Juka: "Thank you"

Just doing your job I feel for your family’s so much I lost my grandson 2 years ago he died at work accident so feel for you all I cry every day … RIP 1 lady and 3 men RIP god bless you all. Gloria Watts – via Facebook

Thank you for your service. Thoughts are with your family, friends & colleagues. Rest in peace. Jennifer Winton – via Facebook

A roadside tribute.

My deepest sympathy to the partners, family, friends, colleagues and Victoria police force can we ever understand why these accidents happen. May the good memories of your loved ones help ease some of you pain. God Bless. Anne Hardy – via Facebook

R.I.P. And Thank you all for your service. Faye Withers – via Facebook

Our deepest sympathies to their families and the entire police service. May you Rest In Peace and be forever remembered. Edward Lacko – via Facebook