RAIN ON PARADE: The Our Mates, Our Families walk ends in front of the Tamworth Police Station, with Fiona Rixon and family, and Inspector Phil O’Reilly, in the lead. Photos: Barry Smith 020313BSA02
SENIOR Constable David Rixon’s family and police colleagues honoured the slain officer with the unveiling of a memorial plaque in Tamworth on Saturday.
Saturday marked the first anniversary of the fatal shooting of the highway patrol officer in West Tamworth and was the final day of the Our Mates, Our Families walk.
The walk took officers from various commands, including Oxley, from Wyong to Tamworth via the New England Highway and other byways, stopping in towns along the way.
As well as showing solidarity and mateship among police officers, it raised about $60,000 for the David Rixon Memorial Fund and Police Legacy.
It was a wet end to the walk, with rain all day on Friday as well as Saturday morning.
“All of the walkers made it safely into Tamworth, which was the main thing, and we had a dinner on Friday night at Diggers,” Inspector Phil O’Reilly said.
“We raised some money during the evening from an auction.
“On Saturday morning, the walkers assembled at the Gipps St playing fields to walk to the police station.”
At the police station there was a short memorial service for Senior Constable Rixon, with the flag lowered to half-mast.
The ceremony was just before 8am, which was the moment he was shot the same day last year.
Inspector O’Reilly said it was an emotional time for the officers and the slain officer’s family, particularly with the ceremony in front of the police station.
Following that, NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione and Senior Constable Rixon’s widow, Fiona, unveiled a plaque which will be placed on a memorial outside the police station.
Commissioner Scipione said he was proud of all the officers who took part in the relay-style walk from the Wyong Police Station to the Tamworth Police Station.
“Last year we experienced the tragedy of losing two of our officers, and so we all have extremely heavy hearts today,” Commissioner Scipione said.
“However, the ceremony gives us the opportunity to reflect on Senior Constable Rixon’s life and career, and to remember the outstanding husband,
father, friend and colleague that he was. More than 140 officers embarked on an epic fundraising walk on Monday and throughout the week, and the memory of their fallen comrade was never far from their mind.
“The walk and ceremony are testimony to the honour that exists among those who have chosen to become part of the police profession. It also demonstrates our respect, our grief and our resolve to continue, despite the hardships that may confront us.”
Oxley local area commander Superintendent Clint Pheeney said his officers were honoured to take part in the walk, and ceremony, to remember their former colleague.