Off-duty police officer killed in road accident while cycling with daughter
An off-duty policeman who was on a Good Friday morning bike ride with his daughter has been hit and killed by a ute.
The Pakenham father of five, Sergeant Ken Rich, was a popular and respected member of the police force.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Robert Hill said the adult daughter provided her father with medical assistance at the scene after he was hit, until paramedics arrived.
Paramedics continued to work on him for about an hour, but he could not revive him.
In that time another one of Sergeant Rich's daughters rushed to the scene to support her sister.
The daughter had been cycling on the Princes Highway in front of her dad when a ute tried to overtake, its side mirror hitting the off duty policeman.
Sergeant Rich had worked at Narre Warren police station since it opened 20 years ago.
He was regarded as a good leader and a good friend to all those he worked with.
"He was in his mid-50s, certainly in the twilight of his police career and looking forward to retirement, looking forward to time with his wife and children," Assistant Commissioner Hill said.
"Road trauma, it doesn't discriminate."
The station's flag is now at half mast to remember a loving colleague, husband and father.
