Wall to Wall tribute to the fallen

The annual Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance from across Australia to Canberra is a tribute to fallen Australian police, raises funds for those officers’ families, and promotes motorcycle safety.

It began in 2010 and is linked to a similar US event known as the Ride for the Fallen.

Serving and retired police officers from every Australian state and territory participate along with their families and friends and supporters SA formalized its participation in 2011

The ride leaves each jurisdiction’s wall of remembrance in September and travels to the National Police Memorial in Canberra It leads into national Police Remembrance Day on September 29.

In 2020 and 2021, travel restrictions disallowed the journey to Canberra but SA undertook intrastate rides and raised funds for SA Police Legacy.

Constables Warren Matheson, 24, and Matthew “Charlie” Payne, 22, died after their patrol car struck a tree in March 1982

Around 60 Wall-to-Wall riders who set out from the police academy stopped to honour the two fallen members at Rendelsham Cemetery (Charlie) and Mt Gambier Cemetery (Warren)

Charlie’s mum, family, friends and fiancée were all present, as was a cousin of Warren. They were amazed that their loved ones were being remembered after 40 years.

Our ride to Canberra took in parts of Victoria which had been impacted by fires and floods in the previous couple of years

We had not been able, owing to COVID restrictions, to attend the National Police Memorial to honour the four Victoria Police officers killed in 2020 So, 2022 was our opportunity

On April 8, 2022, Senior Constable Bria Joyce (Victoria Police) was killed in a head-on crash outside Mildura

And the anniversary of the death of Senior Constable Bogdan “Bob” Sobczak fell on May 26. He died after his police motorcycle collided with another vehicle near Tungkillo in 2002

On September 13, 2022, around 100 riders stopped at the Brukunga CFS training centre A guard of honour was formed as a team of “speedies” entered the venue in a tribute to Bob

Bob’s godson, Josef Milano, was warmly introduced to the riders.

Our riders continued through to Loxton and later crossed the border and travelled to Mildura. On September 14, we joined around a dozen Victoria Police members and paid tribute to Bria Joyce

In the small Victorian town of Sea Lake, we passed by two local schools which had paused to show their respect for Senior Constable Dennis Cox He was the local police officer killed as he had ridden his bicycle on the outskirts of the town in November 2020

I met the wife and sister of Dennis and they greatly appreciated the tribute.

We arrived in Canberra for the service at the National Police Memorial on September 17. We joined 2,000 riders from around Australia and eight new names were added to the wall since our last visit

They were Lynette Taylor, Kevin King, Joshua Prestney, Glen Humphris, Michael Cursiter, Kelly Foster, David Masters and Bria Joyce

Over the next few days, the riders made their way back home I estimated that our ride contributed more than $200,000 into the economy.

Nationally, the Wall to Wall Ride this year raised $168,974.68 for Police Legacy throughout Australia, and more than $1,484,328 over 13 years

With the SA Wall to Wall Ride funds added, SA Police Legacy received $20,000 this year This brings our local total to $123,000 over 12 years Our donations go to young legatees to make their lives a little easier

Planning has started for the 2023 SA Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance I encourage members to join us to visit parts of Australia and raise awareness of Legacy

Mick Klose State Co-ordinator Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance South Australia

Steve Whetton Assistant Secretary Police Association INDUSTRIAL