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2017ArticlesCauseCurrently ServingDeceased PoliceFuneralGenderIncompleteLocationMaleNoOf Church serviceOf eventOf graveOff DutyPhotosPush Bike RiderStateUnknownVehicle accidentVicWall of RemembranceYear

Kenneth Francis RICH

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Kenneth Francis RICH

Late of  ?

Victoria Police Force

Regd. #  22376

Rank:  Sergeant

Stations: ?, Berwick, Narre Warren ( 25 years ) – death

ServiceFrom  ? ? 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?

May 1999
May 1999

 

May 1999
May 1999

 

 

 

[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.

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Hi
A lot of really wonderful people contributed tributes and photos.
Some info:
Ken Rich was promoted to Sgt. at Narre Warren where he has been for the past 25 years. Before that, he worked at Berwick. He was one of the original sergeants at Narre Warren.
Tributes:
Ken I am so lost for words. You were a fixture at Narre and I always loved to catch up with you personally or by phone. You were never too busy to help me out or have a laugh. A special colleague for so many years. Called home too early. Rest in peace and pride for your many years of service. Condolences to family, friends and colleagues. – Barb Rawlings
 
All the love for the Rich family. Sammy Rich Jacinta Rich Charlene Rich. Our deepest sympathy and condolences to the whole family. R.I.P Mr. Ken Rich – Delmar Dimay Limosnero
 
Deepest sympathy to Ken’s family. Your keen wit and sense of right and wrong will be missed. Your legacy is the good you did over the years of your service. Remembered with respect. – Ron Gardner
 
Great bloke. We were mates years ago in the job. At each other’s 21st and had the same circle of friends and parties. I regret that I have not seen Kenny for many years. RIP brother. Taken far too soon. – Brian Igoe
R.I.P. Ken, your work is now done!
You were a gentleman and a great Cop.
It was a pleasure to have served with you.
To the Rich family, be very proud of Ken.
Trev Beattie (22472)
What a wonderful man. So terribly sorry for your loss Jacinta, Crystal and family. I remember him very fondly. – Kristine Baird van Ruiten
As a JP who works at Narre Warren Police Station, I send condolences to Ken’s family and all officers at the station. – Margaret Tinschert
RIP Sergeant Ken Rich. From all members at the Beechworth police station. – Geoff PS
Omg jacinta!!!!! So so sorry to hear about your loss, cant imagine how you are feeling or what you are going through! Thinking of you and your family at this devistating time 🙁 big hugs xxxxxxxxxx – Chookie Chook
 
RIP from the staff of Pakenham Hills Primary School – Paul Taylor
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‘His kids were his world’: Family of veteran police officer Ken Rich killed in bike crash share grief

  • 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.

Ken Rich surrounded by his brother, sister and cousins on his graduation day from the police force. Photo: Supplied
Ken Rich surrounded by his brother, sister and cousins on his graduation day from the police force. Photo: Supplied

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.”

 

Sergeant Ken Rich pictured celebrating his birthday with his cousin and close friend Sue Dickson. Photo: Supplied
Sergeant Ken Rich pictured celebrating his birthday with his cousin and close friend Sue Dickson. Photo: Supplied

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.

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/his-kids-were-his-world-family-of-veteran-police-officer-ken-rich-killed-in-bike-crash-share-grief-20170415-gvlgme.html

 

 

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Catherine Wall RIP Sergeant Ken Rich & condolences to his wife & family & his daughter who was there, May God bless & protect her & also the driver of the car from the little I have heard it WAS an accident & I can only “imagine” the agonies this poor man is going through & will continue to endure, so sad .

 

Daniel Gabriel
Daniel Gabriel Yet a couple weeks ago the Victorian government announced that it has no immediate plans to introduce a minimum passing distance law for vehicles overtaking cyclists despite other states bringing it in. RIP

 

Rose Nelanj
Rose Nelanj RIP Sgt RICH. A stalwart man if ever there was one. I am fairly sure the world stopped turning for just a second when you left it behind. May you watch over us now from a better place, where peace and kindness rein. Loving thoughts and prayers for your family Ken and for your brave and loving daughter, who was by your side.

 

Bruce Rigoni
Bruce Rigoni Very sad, a great man. I worked with Ken at Narre Warren

 

Denisse Budding
Denisse Budding It is time to rest, you have done your community, family and your peers proud. God Bless
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RICH, Sergeant Ken

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
For Funeral details please see a later Herald Sun, or contact: Nielsen Funerals 5623 2771
www. nielsenfunerals. com. au
Obituaries
Published in Herald Sun on 19/04/2017
RICH. Sergeant Kenneth. 22376
Assistant Commissioner Robert Hill on behalf of all staff within Victoria Police Southern Metro Region express heartfelt condolences and offer our deepest sympathy to the family on the tragic passing of our much respected colleague and valued friend.
Obituaries
Published in Herald Sun on 22/04/2017
RICH. Ken.
Sending love and thoughts to Kerrie and family.
We will remember Ken as a caring and kind nephew and cousin.
Carty-Salmon family.
Obituaries
Published in Herald Sun on 19/04/2017
RICH. Ken.
Taken too soon Apr. 14, 2017
Valued workmate and friend for 20 years.
The Sergeant’s office at Narre Warren has lost a favourite son.
Deepest sympathy to Kerry and family.
Rest in Peace, Mate.
Rod and Elaine Threlfall.
Obituaries
Published in Herald Sun on 19/04/2017
RICH. Ken. The President, Executive and Members of The Police Association mourn the passing of Sergeant Rich and extend their deepest sympathy to his family.
At Rest
Obituaries
Published in Herald Sun on 19/04/2017
RICH Sergeant Kenneth Rich
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
Obituaries
Published in Herald Sun on 19/04/2017
RICH. Kenneth Francis. Sergeant 22376
The Chief Commissioner, Officers, Employees of Victoria Police Force regret the tragic death of their colleague and offer their deepest sympathy to his family.
Obituaries
Published in Herald Sun on 19/04/2017
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