Hundreds of serving and retired police on motorcycles will depart Melbourne today to honour colleagues who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance, which raises money for Victoria Police Legacy, will see more than 400 riders embark on an 850km journey to the National Police Memorial in Canberra.
The annual event brings together police from across Australia to pay tribute to officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty and recognise the families they leave behind.
Fallen officers will be recognised during a ceremony at the Victoria Police Memorial on St Kilda Road at 7.30am before riders depart at 8am under police escort.
A restored marked Tasmania Police Holden HZ Kingswood will be part of this year’s contingent.
It will be driven by two retired police from the Tasmania Police Museum.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush will present the legacy baton to this year’s legatees Julian and Luka Zaicos, aged 18 and 15, whose father Leading Senior Constable John Zaicos sadly died following a medical episode while off-duty in 2017.
Leading Senior Constable Zaicos, 48, served at Broadmeadows and later Kilmore where he was a much-loved member of the local community.
Riders will travel to Sale, Lakes Entrance and Cann River before crossing the border into Eden and staying overnight in Merimbula.
On Saturday they will make their way to Canberra for the national commemoration involving more than 1900 riders from police forces across Australia.
Deputy Commissioner Libby Murphy will lay a wreath on behalf of Victoria Police at the National Police Memorial, where the names of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, killed in the line of duty at Porepunkah in August last year, will be added to the honour roll.
The Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance, now in its 17th year, has raised more than $400,000 for the not-for-profit Victoria Police Legacy since it began in 2009.
Nationally, money raised for police legacy organisations around Australia has surpassed $2 million.
The funds help provide support, assistance and opportunities for police families who have lost a loved one.
To donate to the ride and learn more about Victoria Police Legacy go to policelegacyvic.org.au.
Quotes attributable to Chief Commissioner Mike Bush:
“This ride is a powerful demonstration that our fallen officers are never forgotten.
“This year, our thoughts are especially with the families, friends and colleagues of Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart-Hottart as their names are added to the National Police Memorial Honour Roll in Canberra.
“Their names will forever stand among those officers who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting their communities.
“The Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance also highlights the invaluable work of Victoria Police Legacy and legacies nationwide in supporting the loved ones of those we have lost.
“Every kilometre travelled is a reminder of the bonds that unite the policing family and our enduring commitment to remembering those who served.”
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