DOZENS of the local boys in blue have returned home after joining more than 1000 officers in the country’s memorial police ride.
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The Wall to Wall remembrance ride sees police, both sworn and unsworn, ride from the Domain Sydney to the Canberra police memorial.
This year, close to 30 officers from Tamworth, Gunnedah, Narrabri, Moree, outlying sectors and further afield from the New England jumped on their bikes.
They left Tamworth travelling the open roads, remembering one of their own, Senior Constable David Rixon, who was killed while on duty in Tamworth in 2012.
“It’s very tragic, but a moving event and every year down here, and everyday on the job, we pay our respects to Dave Rixon,” Highway Patrol Sergeant Michael Buko told The Leader.
“We never forget, police never forget their lost colleagues.
“It's a good time for everyone to bond together and share stories and remind everyone why we need to remain safe in the workplace.”
The Wall to Wall ride honours members of all police forces across Australia who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
This year, the event was marred by tragedy, after a Victorian officer was killed on the ride en-route to Canberra.
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“The ride is our way of commemorating fallen police officers whose lives have been cut short while performing their duty,” Sergeant Buko said.
“It’s a sad reality of the wall, there are a number of empty plates, but sadly we know that one they will be filled because of the nature of the job we work in.”
The ride also saw one of the test runs for the latest Western Highway Patrol car – BMW 535 that adorns the Rixon number plates in memory of Senior Constable Rixon.
The sedan, which will be based out of Tamworth but travel across the New England and Oxley police districts, is the future vehicle to be used by highway officers in the force.
“The vehicles are being put across the state as part of a rollout,” Sergeant Buko said.
“They’re exremely fuel efficient and that is where the cost savings will come in. Again, they are one of the safest cars on the market to assist police in the line of duty.”
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
