Eastern Freeway tragedy: Police officers remembered on anniversary of fatal truck crash
Loved ones of four police officers killed on the Eastern Freeway have reunited at an emotional service, one year after the tragedy.
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Emotional tributes for four fallen police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty have been made on the one year anniversary of the Eastern Freeway tragedy.
Families of Senior Constable Kevin King and Constables Glen Humphris and Josh Prestney were joined by Chief Commissioner Shane Patton on Thursday morning as they gathered at the sacred Victoria Police memorial site in Kings Domain to pay their respects.
In a solemn ceremony, four wreaths were laid, each to commemorate the life lost in the devastating April 22 crash.
The four were killed when Mohinder Singh’s truck veered into the emergency lane of the Eastern Freeway, where they had pulled over speeding Porsche driver Richard Pusey on a routine traffic intercept.
United in their grief, the families linked arms and consoled one another throughout proceedings and all wore blue ribbons to signify the loss of those who have died in the line of duty.
Andrew and Belinda Prestney, parents of Josh, both took a moment to kiss the wreath dedicated to their son, aged just 28 when his life was taken.
They left a card: “Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure. You are loved behind words and missed beyond measure.”
Josh was a promising young recruit in the force who had followed his brother Alex’s footsteps in joining Victoria Police.
Todd Robinson, partner of Glen Humphris, delicately left a photo of his love among the wreaths, and bowed his head to mark the moment.
“Forever young, forever in my heart,” his tribute read.
Sharron MacKenzie, the stoic widow of Kevin King, was supported by her three sons, who left a card saying: “Always in our hearts.”
The families took time to admire a plaque featuring their loved one’s names on the memorial wall, which stands as a reminder for hundreds of officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Chief Commissioner Shane Patton laid a wreath and saluted police veteran Lynette Taylor, on behalf of her husband Stuart Schulze and sons Alexander and Nathan, who attended a private ceremony at the police academy chapel in Glen Waverley.
Mr Patton described the tragedy as “one of the darkest days” in Victoria Police’s history.
“We continue to remember them,” he said.
“Their legacy will live on. We will never forget them.”
A message will be broadcast through police radios at 5.36pm, the time of the fateful incident, requesting a minute’s silence among the force.
Police stations will fly the Australian flag at half-mast and landmarks including Flinders Street station, the Bolte Bridge and the MCG will be lit up blue, along with Prestney’s alma mater Xavier College in Kew, in support of the family.
A state memorial service, which was delayed due to COVID-19, has been set for September 29 on National Police Remembrance Day.
Constable Humphris’ partner Mr Robinson said Thursday would mark 12 months since his worst fears became reality.
“Each and every day, police officers put their lives on the line for our community, and it is the worst fear of every partner and family member to receive that knock on the door,” Mr Robinson said. “This was one of the most gut-wrenching experiences of my life.
“Today marks 12 months since I wished Glen a great day and hugged him goodbye as I left for work, not knowing that would be the last time we would ever see each other.
“Despite the tragic circumstances, I want to use this opportunity to remember Glen as the smiling, bubbly and beautiful man that he was, and the love we shared for each other.”
Mr Robinson said he was learning to live with the fact that his much-loved partner was “never coming back”, but added that he was never going to get closure.
“Everywhere we went it was together, we hated being apart for the smallest amount of time,” he said.
“If I’m focused and engaged I’m OK, but when I stop and go ‘This is reality’ I realise again and again what happened and he’s never coming home and we can never have what we had.”
Mr Robinson said Singh had choices. “He made the wrong ones and here I am now sitting on my own. No one is ever going to forget those four.”
Constable Prestney’s family said the night they lost their beloved son and brother, their world “fell apart”.
“It has now been one year, but the memory of how that night unfolded is as clear and as painful as if it happened yesterday,” parents Andrew and Belinda and brother Alex said.
“As hard it was to lose Josh, harder still has been learning to live without him. We will never get used to this, get over this or move on from this.
“If we are lucky, time may soften the edges of our grief, but the loss of our son and brother has left scars that will never heal.”
Alex Prestney, a senior constable, is yet to return to police work but this month released a debut single, Just A Dream, as a homage to his late brother.
A state memorial service, delayed due to COVID-19, will be on September 29, National Police Remembrance Day.
KILLER TRUCKIE’S WIFE BREAKS SILENCE
Breaking her silence on the first anniversary of the Eastern Freeway crash that claimed the lives of four police officers, the wife of killer truck driver Mohinder Singh says her family lives with the guilt every day.
Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King and Constables Glen Humphris and Josh Prestney were killed on April 22 last year when Singh’s truck veered into the emergency lane, where the officers had pulled over speeding Porsche driver Richard Pusey.
On the first anniversary of the tragedy, Singh’s wife Amarjit said: “We miss the people (the police officers).”
“We (didn’t) want them to die. We have to live with the guilt that the living died.”
Singh was last week sentenced to 22 years in jail after he admitted four counts of culpable driving causing death, and six other charges including drug offences.
The Cranbourne truckie had little sleep and was high on a cocktail of drugs when he crashed into the officers and their stationary vehicles.
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