159.485 Run

Scroll down for photos and video. Click here to watch our livestream from the finish line.
For more, visit TPAV's Facebook page and read our June 2020 Journal.

The 159.485km road to recovery

It was an unimaginably horrific event which shattered the Victorian policing family. But it was also the catalyst for a unifying movement of hope and solidarity.

It’s been a tough month for TPAV members.

The grief that comes from losing a member on the job is immense, felt by everyone, regardless of rank or location.

That pain was fourfold after the Eastern Freeway tragedy which took the lives of Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King, Constable Glen Humphris and Constable Joshua Prestney on 22 April.

But as we see time and again, something beautiful happens when our police and PSOs are in their darkest hours: the bonds developed on the thin blue line become even stronger.

In the days after the tragedy, a movement was forming, encompassing stations in every corner of the state.

The Victoria Police Legacy Run4Blue fundraiser began in 2019, but evolved into something even more special when First Constable Charlotte Peak, who works at the Public Order Response Team, added together the registered numbers of the members lost on the Eastern Freeway and suggested members unite to run 159.485km.

More than 300 members had hit the pavement, supporting each other as they clocked the kilometres.

“I think people wanted to do something, to make a difference and to honour the memory of the four,” Charlotte said.

“People jumped on board the 159.485 run because it gave them the opportunity to do both.

“Our group was diverse.

“We had police, paramedics, nurses and members of the public.

“We had squad mates, relatives and workmates of Lyn, Kev, Josh and Glen and then we had people that had never met any of them.

“The policing family is bigger than just who you know or have worked with personally.

“I think that this group really made that clear.”

The run culminated in an emotional relay on the final day of May, where dozens of members and supporters made their way from the Victoria Police Academy to the Victoria Police Memorial, stopping along the way at the stations where our fallen members worked.

There were laughs and tears as runners reminisced, each step helping them to heal.

“Standing at the finish line and seeing the members come down St Kilda Rd for that final stretch was a really special moment,” TPAV Secretary Wayne Gatt said.

“I’m pretty sure every single person there was blinking back tears, and I’m so glad the families could be there to see how loved Lynette, Kevin, Glen and Joshua will continue to be.

“It made me so proud to be part of the policing family, and I know everyone there felt exactly the same.”

The final tally of the members’ efforts, revealed on the finish line as Charlotte presented the cheque to Victoria Police Legacy chief executive Lex De Man, far surpassed anyone’s expectations.

Together, the runners raised $374,193.41 to support the families of our fallen colleagues.

There are already plans to continue the run annually, with members determined not to forget Lynette, Kevin, Glen and Joshua.

And while they might not be there in person, their spirits will undoubtedly live on.