The partner of Constable Glen Humphris has spoken about how they instantly clicked on their first date - a long bike ride in Newcastle -four years ago.
"Our first meet, our first date, was a 30 kilometre bike ride on a well-known track up in Newcastle. We had lunch and off we went," Todd Robinson said in Melbourne on Friday afternoon.
"We got into triathlons, we loved running on the beaches up around Newcastle."
Choking back tears, Mr Robinson described the bond he shared with his Central Coast-born partner and the support they enjoyed from their families.
"He grew up on the Central Coast so he was very much an outdoors person and myself enjoying the outdoors camping and so forth," he said.
"We looked at each other and we just smiled.
"All our families just connected, they were very accepting of us, very loving."
Eight months into their relationship Mr Robinson, who is employed with the Department of Defence, was offered the opportunity to move to Victoria.
The couple seized the chance to start a new life together.
Mr Robinson said Constable Humphris, who had previously been a carpenter and personal trainer, joined the police force out of a genuine desire to help others.
"He wore a uniform but he was a person underneath," he said.
"I want people to remember him as a bubbly outgoing personality and the nature he had."
Mr Robinson said he was still coming to terms with the tragedy.
"He came home to someone and on that day he didn't."
Constable Humphris, Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King and Constable Josh Prestney were killed when a refrigerated truck hit them at 100km/h as they stood in the emergency lane of the Eastern Freeway on Wednesday.
They had just pulled over a Porsche that was allegedly speeding at 149km/h.
The driver, who is accused of fleeing the crash scene, faced the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday on nine charges, including speeding, reckless conduct and drug possession.
Victorian Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton told reporters on Friday that Victoria Police community were feeling the loss of its members heavily, and the support shown by the public was appreciated.
"It's heartening for police, it buoys them to know they are so well supported," he told reporters on Friday.
Flags flew at half mast on Thursday while buildings across the state lit up blue out of respect for the fallen officers.
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