Police officer Constable Joshua Prestney is honoured with a moving funeral service

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Police officer Constable Joshua Prestney is honoured with a moving funeral service

Victoria has farewelled a recently-graduated young police officer killed on duty after a truck crashed into him and his three colleagues on a Melbourne freeway.

A private funeral to honour Constable Joshua Prestney was held on Monday at 10am at the officer’s former school, Xavier College.

A wreath laying ceremony at the Airlie Conference Centre will follow at 11.45am.

The 28-year-old triathlon enthusiast is survived by his parents Andrew and Belinda, and his brother, First Constable Alexander Prestney.

Const Prestney’s brother had only presented him with his badge when he graduated from the academy last December.

He lost his life alongside Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King and Constable Glen Humphris.

A private funeral to honour Constable Joshua Prestney was held on Monday at 10am at the officer’s former school, Xavier College

The coffin is seen ahead of the funeral of Constable Josh Prestney at Xavier College in Melbourne

 A wreath laying ceremony at the Airlie Conference Centre will be held at 11.45am. Pictured: family members walking alongside Const Prestney’s casket 

Funerals have been held for them in line with coronavirus restrictions.

Victorian police escorted Const Humphris’ body to the border of NSW at Albury-Wodonga, where their interstate colleagues continued the journey to the officer’s final resting place in Newcastle.

A state memorial service will be held when coronavirus measures including a 10-person funeral limit are lifted.

The truck driver charged over the deaths said he was ‘genuinely sorry and saddened’ about their deaths.

Mohinder Singh, 47, expressed the sentiment through a statement released by his lawyer Steve Pica on Sunday.

‘Mr Singh is genuinely sorry and saddened that four people have lost their lives as a result of the collision,’ the short statement from Mr Pica said.

‘He is acutely aware of the impact upon the families, friends and work colleagues of those that lost their lives.’

The Cranbourne man did not apply for bail when he faced the Melbourne Magistrates Court last week and is due to return to court for a committal mention on October 1.

The officers had been standing in the emergency lane of the Eastern Freeway at Kew as they prepared to impound a Porsche 911. 

But the group of police officers were soon ploughed into by a truck as they stood on the roadside, while the car’s owner – Richard Pusey – allegedly fled on foot. 

Pusey was charged with nine offences including driving at a dangerous speed, reckless conduct endangering life, failing to render assistance and drug possession. 

Constable Josh Prestney (pictured, right) is seen with his partner Stacey (left), with his distraught family saying the pair were ‘perfect for one another’

Constable Josh Prestney (pictured, far right) was described as ‘an angel’ by his devastated parents, Andrew and Belinda (centre), as well as his brother Alex (left)

Constable Prestney, 28, only graduated from the academy in December, having joined the force in May 

Constable Josh Prestney (pictured, left) is seen being awarded with his badge at his police graduation ceremony in December by his proud brother Alex (right)

Constable Prestney completed a Bachelor in creative industries at the Australian College of the Arts before joining and was stationed at Boroondara.

His mum and dad spoke of their grief last week, saying they were ‘broken’ and that the pain had ‘taken their breath away’.

‘Alex has lost his best friend, big brother and offsider,’ Constable Prestney’s family said in a heartbreaking statement on April 25. 

‘Josh’s partner Stacey has lost her angel; they were perfect for one another and had made plans for their future together. Our heart bleeds for her.

‘As his parents, Andrew and I are broken.

‘The thought of never hearing his guitar playing throughout the house, never sharing our sporting adventures together again, never going to the football with him again, never laughing over silly family jokes with him again breaks our hearts and fills us with a pain that has taken our breath away.’ 

The family spoke of their unimaginable pain and paid tribute to their son’s fun and adventurous life, saying he was an ‘amazing guitarist’ who loved hard rock and metal music. 

He was a dedicated sports fan, and was described as a passionate triathlete himself.

‘In 1991 a bright light came into our world in the form of our beautiful son Joshua,’ his family continued.

Investigators believe the truck (pictured) veered into the freeway emergency lane at a speed of about 100km/h 

The officers had been standing in the emergency lane of the Eastern Freeway at Kew as they prepared to impound a Porsche 911 

Senior Constable Kevin King (pictured, far left), Constable Glen Humphris (second from left), Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor (second from right) and and Constable Josh Prestney (far right) all died in the crash on April 22

‘For his dad, a best mate, for his mum, a protector and someone who never ceased to make us smile. 

‘From the start he was a creative, insightful, loving and genuine soul. He was blessed with many talents that he nurtured and developed with persistence and drive.

‘Music was at the heart of everything he did; it made him who he was in so many ways. 

‘Josh was a passionate Collingwood supporter who had many animated discussions about players and the statistics of the game with his dad Andrew and brother Alex. 

‘He cried all the way home after the 2002 Grand Final loss, as a 10 year old.

‘He was the same way with basketball, playing as a junior and becoming an avid Melbourne United and LA Lakers fan. Josh loved competing in triathlons, having completed 2 full Ironman events. 

‘He loved his long distance running and cycling, especially when doing this with his dad, with whom he often travelled to compete.’ 

Four slain police officers remembered  

 Constable Josh Prestney

Constable Prestney, 28, only graduated from the academy in November when he was killed, having joined the force in May.

‘Josh was a much loved and respected member of his squad,’ his obituary read.

‘His brother, First Constable Alexander Prestney, is also a police officer and presented Josh with his badge when he graduated in December last year.’

‘In his spare time Josh enjoyed keeping fit and trained for and competed in triathlons. He is survived by his parents Andrew and Belinda, and his brother, First Constable Alex Prestney.’

Constable Prestney completed a Bachelor in creative industries at the Australian College of the Arts before joining and was stationed at Boroondara.

Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor

Senior Constable Taylor, 60, had a distinguished 31-year career with Victoria Police, joining in January 1989 and graduating in May of that year.

She was recognised by the Chief Commissioner for good work while performing duties at the traffic camera office.

She also earned the National Medal first clasp, National Police Service medal and the Victoria Police Service medal fourth clasp.

Senior Constable Taylor is survived by her husband, a former Victoria Police officer, Stuart Schultz and their two sons, Nathan and Alexander.

‘Having travelled the world, Lynette is remembered for having a great sense of adventure and has instilled this spirit in her children,’ her obituary read.

‘She spent a year sailing around the South Pacific on a yacht, which she continued to live on for a period when she returned.

‘Lynette and her husband Stuart were building their dream retirement home overlooking Bass Strait on Victoria’s south east coast, which would support their passion for travel and fishing.’

Lynette was the primary carer for her sister who had recently suffered a stroke, and this reflected her caring nature, which extended to those she worked with.

‘Lynette had a reputation of going into bat for others and challenging decisions that she believed were unfair.

‘She had a great sense of humour and her colleagues will fondly remember seeing her smiling face every day.’

Constable Glen Humphris

Constable Humphris also only started his police career last year, graduating in March.

Born in Gosford, on the NSW Central Coast, he left school and became an apprentice carpenter and then a personal trainer.

He completed a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science at University of Newcastle and obtained Masters in Exercise Physiology at the University of Sydney, becoming a sports scientist and exercise physiologist.

While working for Return to Work in Newcastle he met his partner of four years, Todd, and they moved to Melbourne last year.

‘He enjoyed the food and bar lifestyle of Melbourne and he continued to have a passion for exercise, competing in triathlons and maintaining a high level of fitness,’ his obituary read.

‘His squad mates said he genuinely wanted to help people, had a great sense of community and genuine empathy for everyone – victim and offender alike.

‘Glen is remembered as being very level-headed, caring and supportive with a great sense of humour and had the ability to make light of any situation to calm people.’

Senior Constable Kevin King

Senior Constable King was with Victoria Police for six years, working at several stations in and around Melbourne before joining the Nunawading Highway patrol in April 2019.

‘Kevin was passionate about road policing and knew that it was not just about giving out tickets,’ his obituary read.

He transferred to the Nunawading Highway Patrol in 2018 where the officer in charge described him as ‘an older head with a lot of life experience who always made good judgement calls and decisions’.

‘He was a terrific bloke. A lovely, all round good bloke who took to road policing immediately. He would do anything in his power to not let you down,’ it continued.

‘He always just wanted to laugh, have a good time, and talk about footy. It’s just devastating to lose a bloke like that.’

The 50-year-old father-of-three was well liked, well respected and well regarded by his colleagues, police said.

‘He had a great sense of humour, loved coming to work, and he loved what he did.

Senior Constable King is survived by his wife Sharron Mackenzie, and their three children, William, James and Henry.

 

 

Source: Daily Mail australia

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