Hundreds of serving and retired police on motorbike will today unite in a powerful display to honour their fallen colleagues.
The Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance, which raises money for Victoria Police Legacy, will see riders embark on an 850km journey to the National Police Memorial in Canberra.
They will this year carry a special legacy baton containing the names of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart who were tragically killed on duty at Porepunkah on 26 August.
Senior Constable de Waart-Hottart was a motorcycle enthusiast.
The fallen officers will be recognised during a ceremony at the Victoria Police Memorial on St Kilda Rd at 7.30am before riders depart at 8am under police escort.
Victoria Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Russell Barrett will present the legacy baton to this year's legatee.
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.
Some 2000 riders from police forces across Australia will join them.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Tim Hansen will lay a wreath on Victoria Police's behalf.
The service will also recognise long serving and respected Tasmania Police officer Constable Keith Smith, who was killed in the line of duty on 16 June this year while responding to an incident in the state's northwest.
The Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance - now in its 16th year - has raised more than $400,000 for the not-for-profit Victoria Police Legacy since it began in 2009.
Nationally money raised from the event for all police legacies is approaching $2 million.
Funds are used to provide support for police members and their families who have lost a loved one.
To donate to the ride and learn more about Victoria Police Legacy visit policelegacyvic.org.au.
Quotes attributable to Inspector Georgie Swinton, Victorian Wall to Wall organising committee:
"The Wall to Wall Ride, more than ever, sends a powerful message that our fallen officers are never forgotten.
"The recent loss of our two members at Porepunkah demonstrates the daily risks our police confront in keeping their communities safe.
"With this tragedy still raw for the entire police family, the determination and fortitude of serving and retired police to honour Neal and Vadim in this way is extraordinary.
"Together we honour Neal, we honour Vadim and we honour all police killed in the line of duty or through other causes.
"The Wall to Wall Ride also shines a light on the important work of Victoria Police Legacy in supporting the loved ones left behind in these times of tragedy."
