Police motorcyclists honour fallen police with memorial ride to Canberra

• Annual Wall to Wall ride to Canberra begins
• It’s a nationwide event to honour police officers who have been killed in the line of duty

Minister Mark Ryan today joined Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski to see riders of the Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance off 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.

Fortunately, there have been no QPS officers killed as a result of their duty in the past year.

Commissioner Gollschewski passed the baton to officers undertaking the ride and wished them well on their journey.

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: https://walltowallride.com/

Quotes attributable to Police Minister Mark Ryan: 

“This ride is a reminder to all of us of the commitment our police officers make to keeping our community safe.

“If community members see the convoy on their journey to Canberra I ask them to take a moment to reflect on the sacrifice of our fallen officers.

“I thank these officers and community members for taking this journey to commemorate those who have sacrificed their lives in service of our community.”

Quotes attributable to Commissioner Steve Gollschewski:

“During the Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance we reflect and honour the police officers who have been killed in the line of duty.

“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.”

Media contacts 

Minister Ryan’s Office: Ph: (07) 3035 8300

Police Media: Ph: (07) 3015 2444