Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton and Police Association of Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt set off on the Head to Head Walk 23 days ago.

They travelled from opposite ends of the state and met in Wangaratta on Tuesday for a ceremony. 

The pair said they were a little sore and relieved it was finished, but very proud to have raised more than $600,000 to support retired officers with mental health issues.

“It’s been very uplifting to feel that we are helping police veterans,” Chief Commissioner Ashton said during the ceremony, which was attended by about 200 officers and members of the public.

“Wayne and I thought about $500,000 might be an ambitious target, but we’ve been able to get past that now.

“With those extra cheques we’ve got today, it’s over $600,000.

“Hopefully it will keep going as well.

“We’re very surprised and proud that we’ve been able to get that support.”

Chief Commissioner Ashton said the idea, which had taken him through towns in the North East in recent days, was a one-off. 

But he will look at other ways to “try to continue the momentum" in support of police services. 

He plans to challenge other police chiefs to undertake their own walks. 

Sergeant Gatt said it was positive the walk had been undertaken in partnership with Victoria Police. 

“I think it sends a very, very strong message,” he said. 

“I think it sends the right message to police veterans and our serving members that we hear you, we know there's an issue and we're both committed as organisations to supporting and serving and serving a solution to you. 

"You're not alone.”

The money will be donated to a program launched in 2014 which helps past members. 

The Retired Peer Support Officer Program assists between 700 and 800 former police dealing with PTSD, depression and anxiety, but relies on volunteers. 

Chief Commissioner Ashton said thousands needed help. 

“It's an area that's been overlooked for way too long,” he said.