Blackest day turns to blue night

I’m a mother of a police officer aged 30, his name is also Josh, and this is what we as parents fear every day as our children go to work in the police force. I’m absolutely devastated by this news and have been teary all day thinking about those four families whose lives have changed forever. My heart is with them all right now and also with every police officer out there protecting all of us as we go about our daily lives.

Words will never say enough. As the father of a current Victorian police officer, I find it impossible to comprehend what the four families are going through right now. Every day our brave men and women put everything on the line to look after our community.

As Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) I want to express our deep shock and sadness at the deaths of four Victoria Police officers last night. Victoria Police officers are always the first responders at child protection and family violence events, to say nothing of all the other incidents they attend to. Many VACCA staff work regularly alongside Victoria Police and have the greatest respect for their work and dedication to duty. The police are a big part of our Aboriginal community lives whether it be in marking significant days or standing with us to address injustice and inequity. Last night's tragedy should have been a routine in the work lives of the police involved, yet it turned into tragedy. We pay our most sincere respects and condolences to the officers who passed away and to their respective families and friends. Our thoughts are also with every other police officer today, who will no doubt be feeling this loss.

On behalf of the entire team at Pride in Diversity, and our members, we send our sincere sympathy and admiration to the police, upon hearing the news of this week’s tragedy. The loss of such outstanding professionals in the line of duty must be an extraordinary burden for the entire police community. Knowing as we do, how inclusive and engaged the police family is, the hole left will take a very long time to fill. We just hope great memories, combined with the love of colleagues help a little, the families and teammates affected. The nation is mourning with you.

As a daughter of two members of the Victoria Police, I am whole-heartedly, so very sorry for the families of the officers who never returned home. Being a family member of police officers not only makes you proud that they serve to make our communities safer, but also leaves you feeling very anxious at the daily risk they face. Countless times have I had nightmares that such a tragedy would happen. Hence, upon hearing this absolutely devastating news, I felt upset to the point as if I had just lost a family member of my own. So I cannot even begin to imagine what those closely affected would be feeling. To the families, close and extended, and the friends and colleagues of those involved in this tragedy, I offer my uttermost, deepest condolences. And to the officers lost, your country thanks you endlessly for your services. You will not be forgotten.

I'm proud to be a cop. I never thought I would ever say that out loud. But on Wednesday I lost a good mate in Josh Prestney and three work/family members. Being a cop is hard, but it is the most rewarding job. You can love us, hate us, or disagree with some stuff we do, but no matter what, we will also be there to help regardless of what the situation is and who you are. Rest in peace.

Call signs Traffic 430 and Nunawading 615 have officially been retired. The last time they were or ever will be used was the night of the tragic incident. Beautiful honour in their memories.

Just over a week ago on 22 April, I was doing my weekly food shop when I got a Police Remembrance $2 coin for change. It seemed silly at the time but for the rest of my shopping trip I just couldn’t bear to part with it, I even made my husband break a $10 note because I couldn’t stand the idea of parting with it. It seemed so silly, after all it’s just a $2 coin. Later that night the news came of the accident and by the next morning the death of four of our amazing officers confirmed Now I know why I couldn’t part with it and why I will always carry it on me; to always remember. RIP to all of our amazing officers who have passed. Stay safe to all those officers who protect us every day. Thank you to all those officers who have served, are serving and to those who will one day serve.

I am recently retired after 25 years in the NSW Police. 23 of those years were in highway patrol. Many years ago I worked on the NSW-Victoria border and was a special constable in Victoria. I had to leave the cops due to post-traumatic stress disorder. Restoring things is helping me with my mental health issues. I have restored a 70s esky and will send it to Nunawading HWP office so when the time is right the colleagues of Lynette, Kevin, Josh and Glen can have a drink from it and remember them fondly. May you all RIP.

I know it's been a week but I can't stop thinking about you! I never met you, and possible never destined to. However for people I never met, I felt just as sad as if it was my best friend of years I had just lost! You were only doing your day to day job. Something you had done many times before! Nobody goes to work expecting it to be their last, and unfortunately it was this terrible day that your families had to endure that painful knock at the door. My heart goes out to not only the immediate and outer families, but to the larger Victoria Police family, and right throughout the Victoria wide family!

My son was six months old when I became a blue sister in Victoria Police and now four years on, as I put on my uniform tonight after a week’s leave - and the most heartbreaking week - I will squeeze my son that much tighter while he sleeps and I head off for night shift. Thinking of the three brave brothers and sister we lost, that never get to squeeze their families that much tighter. I put on my uniform for the four of you. I am proud to be serving as your blue family. Thank you for your selfless service Lyn, Kev, Glen and Josh.