OUR HISTORY
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Remembering Tim More than 18 years ago Senior Constable Tim Lewczuk was killed as he pulled over a car on the Western Ring Road in Sunshine. The bridge where the incident happened has now been named in his honour. His proud parents spoke to Police Life. It was 8.20pm on Saturday, 10 May, 1997 when Senior Constable Tim Lewczuk and his partner were performing routine patrols. They intercepted a vehicle for speeding on a bridge on the Western Ring Road in Sunshine. The officers parked behind the car and Sen Const Lewczuk went out to investigate. While questioning the driver, a third vehicle crashed into the parked police car, throwing Sen Const Lewczuk over the first car and 15 meters to the highway below. He tragically died at the scene.
Earlier this year, the bridge was renamed the Tim Lewczuk Bridge, a great honour for his family. Parents Dot and Richard Lewczuk were thrilled with the memorial. “It made all of our family very proud,” Mrs Lewczuk said. “It is such a nice thing for us, it is like he is still out there watching over us and he will always be remembered.” Sen Const Lewczuk graduated from the Victoria Police Academy in 1989, as a 23-year-old. At the time of his death, he was working at the now defunct Newport Community Policing Squad. Throughout his career he was also stationed at Flemington, Brunswick, St Albans, Moonee Ponds District Support group and the I-District Surveillance Unit.
“He really did enjoy being a policeman,” Mrs Lewczuk said. "He could be tough, but he also had a very caring and gentle nature and was dedicated to the job." Since losing their son, Mr and Mrs Lewczuk and their son Scott have become close to many of Sen Const Lewczuk’s former colleagues. “They are like family to us,” Mr Lewczuk said. “Tim and I both enjoyed playing golf together, in fact we had played the day he died, and Tim was president of the St Albans Golf Club.” Mr Lewczuk has been a member of the golf club for many years and enjoys it. They are also Blue Ribbon Foundation West Gate branch members.
Photo Proud family 01 Dot and Richard Lewczuk are proud to have a bridge named in honour of their son. 02 Sen Const Lewczuk. Editorial: Janae Houghton Photography: Andrew Henshaw POLICE LIFE | SUMMER 2016
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