FIRST Constable Claire Moore knew something fatal had happened on Melbourne’s Eastern Freeway when she saw it closed to traffic, but nothing could prepare her when she discovered four of her colleagues were killed.
Constable Moore, stationed at Swan Hill, joined grieving family, friends and colleagues of the four slain officers at a state memorial service in Melbourne last Thursday.
Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King, Constable Josh Prestney and Constable Glen Humphris were killed on April 22 2020 when a truck ploughed into them while intercepting a speeding motorist on the busy highway.
Constable Moore knew Sen-Constable Taylor personally, working together on a booze bus in Mildura for a week in September 2019.
“We discovered Lyn had led the most incredible life, travelling the world for years before joining the police force, working undercover in the job, working as an extra in many movies and that she and her husband had just built their dream home in Gippsland,” Constable Moore said.
Constable Claire Moore vividly remembered the day of the tragedy.
On her commute home in Melbourne, she saw the Eastern Freeway had been closed, knowing that meant a fatality of some sort had occurred.
“When I got home and switched on the news to see what had happened, nothing could have prepared me or the state of Victoria for what occurred on that day,” Constable Moore said.
Having had that personal connection, Constable Moore attended the memorial service at Marvel Stadium to pay her respects.
“I didn’t quite know what to expect or how I would feel two years on, but it was a beautiful, thoughtful, and meticulously planned service that was a fitting tribute,” she said.
“It was incredibly emotional to see the families up close and the impact it has had on them.”
Members at the Swan Hill police station joined colleagues around Victoria with a minute silence at the conclusion of the ceremony, a tradition which started last year in 2021.
Swan Hill police Senior Sergeant Michelle Kerley believed while the live-streamed ceremony and remote minute silence was somewhat different to what had been done in the past, it was still an important tradition she wanted to ensure continued on in years to come.
“It’s about respecting tradition, and it’s so important that people that lose their lives are never forgotten, that the sacrifice that they make is never forgotten,” Sen-Sgt Kerley said.
Tributes and performances on behalf of the families filled the ceremony, while all police officers that were present formed a guard of honour for the families at the conclusion.
“This was a moment in Victoria’s history that will never be forgotten, and they will always be in our hearts as we put on our vests and belts and go out into the community to protect and serve,” Constable Moore said.
