Kenneth Francis RICH
Kenneth Francis RICH
Late of ?
Victoria Police Force
Regd. # 22376
Rank: Sergeant
Stations: ?, Berwick, Narre Warren ( 25 years ) – death
Service: From ? ? 1980 to 14 April 2017 = 37 years Service
Awards: National Medal – granted 26 March 1998
Born: ? ? 1962
Died on: Friday 14 April 2017
Age: 55
Cause: Motor Vehicle Collision – Push Bike rider
Event location: Princes Hwy near Dore Rd, Pakenham, Victoria
Event date: Friday 14 April 2017
Funeral date: Wednesday 26 April 2017 at noon
Funeral location: Victoria Police Academy, Glen Waverley
Police Honours
At the conclusion of the Service the cortege will leave for the Gembrook Cemetery, Blackwood Lane, Gembrook arriving at approx. 2.30 p.m.
To help celebrate Ken’s life and to reflect his love of the Sydney Swans, please wear
a touch of red and white.
No flowers by request.
A donation in memory of Ken may be made to the Amy Gillett Foundation.
Envelopes will be available at the Chapel.
Buried at: Gembrook Cemetery,
Memorial located at: ?
[alert_blue]KEN is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue]*NOT JOB RELATED
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FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal
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May they forever Rest In Peace
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RICH – Sergeant Ken Rich
Taken too soon Husband and soul mate to his loving wife Kerry.
Devoted and loving Dad to Samantha, Charlene, Jacinta, Crystal and Brandon.
Cherished Memories
Forever In Our Hearts
x
xxxxx
Our dearest Ken, we have always thought of you as a son.
Thank you for the love and care you have always given to all the family.
‘‘How we will miss you’’
Love always — Doug (dec) and Nan. xo
RICH – Ken
What a loving, caring family man you were. Always willing to help.
We all looked up to you for guidance. We will miss your passion for the Sydney Swans.
– Tracey and Gary, Kellie and Kaycee.
‘His kids were his world’: Family of veteran police officer Ken Rich killed in bike crash share grief
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Timna Jacks, Melissa Cunningham
A heartbroken relative of an off-duty police officer who was hit by a ute while cycling with his daughter in Melbourne’s south-east on Good Friday says his family were “his world” and he was on the cusp of retiring when he was killed.
The pair was riding east on the Princes Highway, near Dore Road, at Pakenham when the officer, Sergeant Ken Rich, was hit by a Toyota Hilux ute about 8.50am.
Sergeant Rich’s daughter cared for him at the scene until an ambulance arrived.
Paramedics worked on him for about an hour, but he died at the scene.
His devastated cousin Sue Dickson said the father-of-five loved nothing more than spending time with his wife Kerry and their adult children Samantha, Charlene, Jacinta, Crystal and Brandon.
“His kids were his world,” Ms Dickson said.
“He was involved in all their activities as they were growing up and coached many kids in the Pakenham area.”
“He was a real family man and loved being at home with his wife and kids.”
Ms Dickson said she’d grown up with Sergeant Rich and the pair remained close, sharing every birthday together.
“We were born two days apart,” she said.
“Our mothers are identical twins so we grew up together (and we) saw each other almost every day.”
Ms Dickson said the devoted father and police officer had confided in her recently about the increasing pressures of his work and his desire to retire soon.
“The last few real conversations I had with him made me realise how much the police force got him down,” she said.
“He hated the youth suicide problem and the fact that many young people were not growing up in a loving family environment any more.”
By others that knew him, Sergeant Rich was remembered as a “real personality” and a highly regarded law enforcement officer .
“He was out enjoying Good Friday with his family as most people are across the country,” Assistant Commissioner Robert Hill said.
Sergeant Rich, had only taken up cycling in recent years.
“The family is heartbroken. They are dealing with the loss of a husband and a father,” Mr Hill said.
The officer had been in the force since 1980 and worked at the Narre Warren police station for 25 years.
Sergeant Rich was in “the twilight of his policing career” and “looking forward to retirement, looking forward to spending time with his wife and children … looking forward to travel and all of those things on our bucket list when we come to the end of our careers,” Mr Hill said.
His colleagues were devastated at the tragic news.
“They have lost one of their members, one of their leaders, their friend,” Mr Hill said.
“He was certainly well respected and well regarded … a member that was full of life, affable, a real personality around our police station.”.
“Road trauma; it doesn’t discriminate.”
Sergeant Rich’s friends and acquaintances have left tributes on social media for him.
“A good man lost his life today,” Simon Yeo said.
“Ken was swimming coach to our boys and President of the Cardinia Piranhas Swim Club. RIP.”
Mandy Yeo wrote: “RIP Ken our thoughts with you and your family.”
Angie King described him as a “wonderful man, brave, kind”.
“Rest in peace, Ken Rich,” she said.
“Thank you.”
The officer and his daughter were cycling east, on the shoulder of the highway in a 100km/h zone.
The ute was also travelling east when it struck the officer, police said.
It has been reported the ute was trying to overtake the cyclists, when the side mirror of the vehicle hit Sergeant Rich.
The driver of the ute, a 58-year-old man from Pakenham, was not injured. He stayed at the scene and was assisting police with their inquiries.
Major collision investigation unit detectives are working to determine the cause of the crash.
Secretary of the Victorian Police Association, Sergeant Wayne Gatt sent his condolences to the officer’s family.
“Earlier today, we learnt that one of our members was tragically killed in a road accident,” he said.
“For the member’s family, friends and close policing colleagues, the Easter period will now always be tinged with sadness. Our prayers and condolences are with them all, at this very difficult time.”
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
RICH, Sergeant Ken
