Yesterday four people went to work, for one of them , it was his first day. Last night their loved ones were mourning their loss, and it’s probably safe to say, most of us were in shock.

It started as a routine traffic stop, a speeding driver, but because the speed was excessive, the car would be impounded, so back up was called for. The group was in the emergency lane of the freeway, lights flashing, and because of the current situation, the traffic would have been much lighter than normal. And then the unthinkable happened and a large semi struck the group killing all four of the police officers. Somehow, the driver of the speeding car managed to escape injury and left the scene - after taking pictures which were later uploaded to social media. Apparently, the driver of the truck suffered a ‘medical episode’, the details of which are yet to be determined.

My husband was a cop, and my eldest son still is. Don served for nearly 40 years, and some of the places he went and things he was called upon to do were horrific and dangerous. My son still faces these situations.

Most cops we know joined the job to help people, and there’s nothing more satisfying than being able to make someone’s day better. To do good, to uphold the law, to keep the peace. Sometimes it’s a thankless job, especially when dealing with people who are not at their best, and even though it can sometimes be very dangerous, none of us expect that it will end in death.

To all those who are feeling vulnerable and fragile today, who are facing their jobs with a little less confidence, and perhaps viewing the people they deal with a little less favourably, we feel your pain and acknowledge your fears. We hope your shift ends positively, and that your loved ones never have to face what has just occurred in Victoria. Stay safe.