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The family of one of the four officers killed in a truck crash in Melbourne last week has remembered him as a "big softie" who would "do anything for absolutely anyone".
Key points:
- The family of Senior Constable Kevin King said the father of three was a "caring, considerate" man
- His partner Sharron Mackenzie said she was devastated after losing her "only love for 35 years"
- The statement comes as a doctor who was among those to help came forward to assure families their loved ones did not die alone
Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King, Constable Glen Humphris and Constable Josh Prestney were killed when a truck being driven by Mohinder Singh crashed into them about 5:30pm on Wednesday, after they had intercepted a Porsche on the Eastern Freeway at Kew.
In a tribute to Senior Constable King released by Victoria Police, the family of the Nunawading Highway Patrol officer said he was a "caring, considerate, gentle and kind-hearted person".
"A big softie who would do anything for absolutely anyone. He'd always be there," the family said.
Last week, Senior Constable King was remembered by police colleagues as an officer who could be relied upon to make the right call or decision in any given situation.
In their statement, the family said it seemed he was always destined to become a police officer, given his methodical, organised approach to life.
At home, he loved cooking his specialty Italian dishes of pasta and minestrone, playing his guitar in the sunshine with a coffee and sharing his passion for the Richmond Football Club with his three sons.
"Our three boys will miss so much about their father, not least going to the football with him, kicking the footy, or just joking with him and listening to his slightly daggy dad jokes," the family said.
Senior Constable King's partner, Sharron Mackenzie, said her heart was "in pieces".
"I'm totally devastated," she said.
"My beautiful man, my life, my rock and my only love for 35 years is gone and life will never be the same."
The family expressed their thanks to the community for their support in the wake of the death, and extended their condolences to the family of the other officers killed.
Doctor tells of many people who supported dying officers
It comes as Melbourne doctor Amanda Sampson came forward on Monday to let the families of the killed officers know many strangers rushed to support their loved ones as they died.
She said she was one of dozens of people who did what they could to help the officers in the immediate aftermath of the crash.
Dr Sampson said she felt "horrified" at the idea Leading Senior Constable Taylor's family might think the last words she heard were the abuse allegedly directed at her by Porsche driver Richard Pusey.
"I wanted to reassure them that all the officers were surrounded by many people who came to help, many people who were there at the time and tried to support them and give them the help that we could," she said.
"I wanted the police to be comforted by the fact that they are cared for, and we do love what they do for us and how they help us, and that we say thank you."
In a press conference earlier in the day, Deputy Commissioner Libby Murphy said those who had stopped to help the officers had the force's "heartfelt thanks".
Topics: disasters-and-accidents, road, police, law-crime-and-justice, kew-3101, vic, australia
First posted