Community members, including representatives from the local hospital, ambulance station and police station, paid their respects on Friday morning.
Photo by
Lua Ikenasio
On Friday morning, the Rochester community gathered outside the local police station to lay down flowers in a show of solidarity with Victoria Police.
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The tribute was held in light of the death of two police officers, who were shot and killed while on duty in the rural town of Porepunkah.
The loss of the two officers has been felt in communities throughout the state, including Rochester, with residents eager to show their support.
Rochester Senior Constable John Roberts welcomed community members as they arrived.
Photo by
Lua Ikenasio
Rochester police Senior Constable John Roberts said it was heartening to see the community stand with the police during a difficult time.
“This is my home town. It’s a privilege to work here and look after my community, and it’s an even bigger privilege to see everyone care about the work that we do and likewise we care about the community,” he said.
“To put it blunt, we’re all angry, absolutely angry, devastated ... the last couple of days have been tough for all of us, and we obviously see it in the community as well.
“A lot of people have been calling me asking how can we pay respects ... and I thought we’d dedicate a day to it.
“We didn’t want to do any fancy ceremonies. It’s not our place here in Rochester to do that, I just wanted a time for the community to come together and pay their respects.”
Rochester Elmore and District Health Service chief executive Mary Manescu laid a wreath on behalf of REDHS.
Photo by
Lua Ikenasio
Despite the cold and wind, community members made their way to the police station to lay flowers at the flagpole out front.
Representatives from the local ambulance station and Rochester Elmore and District Health Service chief executive Mary Manescu were also among the crowd.
Rochester local Les Snelling paid his respects alongside his wife, Janette Snelling, and daughter Vanessa Snelling.
Vanessa, Les and Janette Snelling went to the police station as a family to pay their respects.
Photo by
Lua Ikenasio
Mr Snelling said they wanted to honour the fallen officers as one of his daughters, a police officer in Shepparton, had known one of them.
“She's the police sergeant in Shepp, and she's worked with the policeman that got killed and she’s, of course, quite upset,” he said.
“We've always been involved with the police force and the army, and I’m an ex-Vietnam vet ... so it does affect us.”
Mr Snelling added that it was great to see the community show up to offer support.
“It’s tremendous. It’s a great feeling when people support like this,” he said.
Maree Thompson was among the community members who placed flowers outside the Rochester police station.
Photo by
Lua Ikenasio
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