Family’s tribute for Leading Senior Constable Dennis Cox killed while cycling at Sea Lake

A police officer killed while riding his bike is remembered by his heartbroken family as a ‘wonderful dad’ and ‘old fashioned country cop’ that loved his community.

Leading Senior Constable Dennis Cox was a much loved member of the Sea Lake in northwest Victoria.

The heartbroken family of a Victoria Police officer killed while riding his bike have paid tribute to a “wonderful father” with a passion for serving his local community.

Leading Senior Constable Dennis Michael Cox, 47, tragically died when he was hit by a car while cycling on the outskirts of Sea Lake in northwest Victoria on November 12.

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 copper had close ties to the locals, having grown up in the Mallee region on his parents’ farm with his three sisters and two brothers.

He also had extended family in the area and was a champion footballer and past president of the Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers Football Netball Club.

His wife Selina said her husband touched many lives in the community and they were very thankful for the outpouring of support they had received since his death.

“We all loved him very much, he was a great dad. He regularly joked to everyone I was the luckiest woman alive,” she said.

Leading Senior Constable Dennis Cox (right) with (L-R) wife Selina, son Jacob, 11, and daughters Shauna, 20 and Hannah, 17.

Younger brother Phillip Cox said Constable Cox was an “old fashioned country cop” who was proud of his uniform and what it meant.

Colleague and close friend, Sergeant Brad Fowler, said it was his “dream job” was to work at a single member station, with Sea Lake his number one choice having grown up in the area.

“He policed by earning respect so that his community tried to mostly do the right thing so they didn’t put him in a bad position,” Mr Cox said.

“We heard a young man earlier this week refuse a drink as he had to drive home and he wasn’t going to let Coxy down.

“He trusted everyone and saw the best in those who made mistakes. He was patient and kind, as well as cheeky. Kids loved him and he was a brother to so many.”

Leading Senior Constable Dennis Cox, 47, served the community of Sea Lake for eight years.

Mr Cox said that was probably the reason why he had the least arrests and gave out the fewest fines during one year while based at Swan Hill police station.

He said Constable Cox adored his wife Selina, “the absolute love of his life”, and was the proud dad of Shauna, 20, Hannah, 17 and Jacob, 11.

“Shauna and Hannah were his two princesses and Jacob his right hand man,” Mr Cox said.

“Second only to Selina and the kids was his love of fishing and camping and (he) shared this with them.”

Constable Cox will also be remembered across the community as the legendary footballer who won four senior premierships with Berri-Culgoa, coached Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers and was later president after the two clubs merged.

Lifelong friend and current president of the Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers Football Netball Club, Colin Durie, said Constable Cox and wife Selina were “enormous” for the local club.

Tributes for Leading Senior Constable Dennis Cox outside the Sea Lake police station.

“He was a very modest man, he never looked for accolades, he was just happy doing his thing, keeping under the radar and just getting it done,” Mr Durie said.

“It’s just been a massive shock, it’s going to be hard to find someone else like him for our small community that’s going to put so much back into it … it’s just going to leave a massive hole.

“When he started policing he wasn’t here and the opportunity came up with the position at Sea Lake and I think he was extremely proud to get back and work in the community he’d grown up in and obviously loved.”

Constable Cox was off duty when he was struck by a car on the Sea Lake-Lascelles Road about 8am on November 12.

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.

Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating the crash. The driver of the car stopped at the scene and assisted police. No charges have been laid.

A GoFundMe fundraiser to support Constable Cox’s family has so far raised more than $60,000.

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