Queensland Police Commissioner, Steve Gollschewski, today joined Police Minister, Mark Ryan to see off riders of the Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance on their journey to Canberra.
A group of Queensland Police Service (QPS) motorcyclists and supporters gathered at the Police Memorial in Brisbane City to begin their journey to the nation’s capital, where they will hold a service on September 14.
The annual Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance is a nationwide event to honour police officers who have been killed in the line of duty, ahead of National Police Remembrance Day (September 29).
Riders accepted the symbolic Commissioner’s baton from Commissioner Gollschewski, which they will carry for the length of their journey.
The wooden baton was hand-crafted in 2011 and engraved with the phrase “We remember them”.
Inside the baton is a hollow containing a scroll with the names of any QPS officers who lost their lives in the previous calendar year.
Commissioner Gollschewski passed the baton to officers undertaking the ride, wishing them well and acknowledging the importance of their journey.
“During the Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance we reflect and honour the police officers who have been killed in the line of duty,” said the Commissioner.
“Whilst I acknowledge the baton is empty this year, I recognise the profound impact the recent deaths of Rachel McCrow, Matthew Arnold and Dave Masters has had on our organisation, their family and friends, and community.
“I thank the riders helping the QPS safely deliver the baton and joining our policing counterparts across the country to remember the fallen.
“With honour they served.”
Last year more than 3000 riders including 300 from Queensland took part in the ride.
The Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance has helped support families of fallen officers by raising $1.5m nationally for Police Legacy since 2009.
More information on the Wall to Wall Ride is available here:Â https://walltowallride.com/.
