Off-duty policeman Dennis Cox killed in cycling crash in Victoria

A tight-knit Victorian community is mourning the tragic death of its much-loved sole policeman, described by locals as a ‘true copper’.

Leading Senior Constable Dennis Cox was killed while riding his bike in Sea Lake where he was the only officer in the town.

The sole policeman of a tight-knit Victorian community who was tragically killed while cycling is being remembered as an “all round good bloke” and “true copper”.

Leading Senior Constable Dennis Cox, 47, was riding his bike when he was hit by a car on the outskirts of Sea Lake in northwest Victoria on Thursday morning.

Senior Constable Cox’s death has sent shockwaves through the Sea Lake community where he had worked at the one-person station for the past eight years.

The popular and much-loved police officer had grown up in the Mallee region, had extended family in the area and was a past president of the Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers Football Netball Club.

Local councillor and Sea Lake tourism business operator David Vis told NCA NewsWire “everybody knew” Constable Cox and it would be a great loss for the community.

“He cared a lot about the local community, he was heavily involved in voluntary work as well as with the football club,” he said.

“There’s a lot of things he did over and above his police work, and he will very sadly missed by the community.

“The community hurts when these types of things happen, it’s affected the town quite badly and he’s going to be sorely missed.”

Constable Cox was off duty when he was struck by a car on the Sea Lake-Lascelles Road about 8am on Thursday.

He had spent 12 years working with Victoria Police in the Western Division and was also based at Swan Hill police station during his career.

The main street of Sea Lake where Senior Constable Dennis Cox was the only policeman. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Local community members have placed ribbons and flowers on the Sea Lake police station fence as a sign of respect to their “much-loved member of the community”.

Former police officer and Sea Lake Men’s Shed secretary Geoff McGuigan said Constable Cox was “an excellent officer and a good man”.

“We were blessed to have you here. RIP. You will be missed,” he posted on Facebook.

Advance Sea Lake Inc community group said Constable Cox was “more then (sic) our ‘local copper’”.

“A community member, family man, all round good bloke,” they posted.

“‘Sea Lake 208, log us off thanks’, that was him, every shift,” another mourner wrote. “We will miss you mate.”

“A true copper and friend of Sea Lake residents,” local Peter Arrowsmith wrote.

Another friend wrote that Constable Cox was “a wonderful ex-neighbour, family friend, such a character, so sadly missed by all”.

“We are just devastated for Dennis’ big beautiful family … you wouldn’t find a more loving and decent family,” they said.

In a statement, Victoria Police extended its deepest sympathy and condolences to Constable Cox’s immediate and extended family and friends.

“Leading Senior Constable Dennis Cox was a well respected and admired member of the Sea Lake community, working at the community’s one-person station for the past eight years,” they said.

Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating the crash. The driver of the car stopped at scene and assisted police.

His death comes several months after the Eastern Freeway crash that killed Constable Glen Humphris, Senior Constable Kevin King, Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor and Constable Joshua Prestney.

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