In memory: Senior Constable Rixon’s widow Fiona presented Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie with the Commissioner’s baton after placing her late husband’s name in it. Photo: Barry Smith 140912BSA15
THE Tamworth leg of an annual police remembrance bike ride to Canberra that took off yesterday has been dedicated to the memory of Senior Constable David Rixon.
The officer, who was shot and killed while on duty at the beginning of the year, will be commemorated, along with other police officers who have died on duty over the years, in the Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance.
A ceremony was held at Tamworth’s Riverside Sports Complex yesterday where Senior Constable Rixon’s name was placed in the Police Commissioner’s baton to be taken to Goulburn and handed to PoliceCommissioner Andrew Scipione.
As is the tradition of the ride, the names of the fallen officers will then be added to the National Wall of Remembrance in Canberra.
The ceremony took place early in the morning before Western Region police began the ride on their own motorbikes.
Participants included Western Region Commander Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie and Oxley local area commander Superintendent Clint Pheeney.
Tamworth Highway Patrol’s Sergeant Brett Davies, a close colleague of Senior Constable Rixon, led the way to the ACT in the patrol vehicle dedicated to the slain officer.
Senior Constable Rixon’s family members were also at the ceremony. The Tamworth contingent is expected to travel through Werris Creek, Coolah, Mudgee, Ilford and Oberon before they meet up with Sydney’s riders at the NSW Police Academy in Goulburn after 11am today. The annual charity motorbike ride aims to commemorate the service and sacrifice of fallen Australian police, and raise funds in support of their families. Organisers hope this year’s ride will be the biggest yet, with more than 1500 police officers taking part.
