The police officer who died after losing control of his motorcycle and crashing was taking part in a memorial ride in honour of a close friend and colleague.
Gold Coast Senior Sergeant Brendan Wiblen, 58, died during the first stage of the Wall to Wall Remembrance March on Wednesday afternoon.
Emergency services were called to the Gwydir Highway near Glen Innes in the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. Sergeant Wiblen crashed and fell down an embankment.
Fellow cyclists and members of the public performed CPR before paramedics arrived at the scene, but were unable to revive him.
Senior Sergeant Wiblen was among hundreds of cyclists taking part in the annual event honouring police officers who have died in the line of duty. The ride started in Brisbane a few hours earlier.
It has since been revealed that he had taken part in the ride several times in memory of a murdered Gold Coast police colleague.
Detective Chief Constable Damian Leeding, 35, was shot in the face at point-blank range at the Pacific Pines tavern during a botched armed robbery in May 2011.
The father of two died in hospital three days later.
Gold Coast officer Brendan Wiblen (pictured) died during the Wall 2 Wall Ride for Remembrance near Glen Innes in the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales on Wednesday.
He had been taking part in a memorial ride for his murdered colleague, Detective Chief Constable Damian Leeding (pictured with his wife Sonya).
The death of Senior Sergeant Wiblen has sparked an outpouring of tributes from the police community.
The Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance will continue to its final stop in Canberra with the blessing of Sergeant Major Wiblen’s family.
“Brendan has completed the Wall to Wall tour a number of times over the past few years and we are incredibly sad that he is no longer with us,” Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior told reporters on Wednesday.
‘Brendan completed this journey for his partner (murdered police officer) Damian Leeding, who lost his life in the line of duty.
‘Brendan was a man of integrity. He was a loyal man and was highly respected by his colleagues on the Gold Coast. I know he will be greatly missed.
Sergeant Wiblen spent almost three decades in the Gold Coast Police Force.
He is also remembered as a long-time police union official who loyally defended his members.
Senior Sergeant Wiblen regularly appeared on Australian television screens to provide updates on incidents in the Gold Coast area (pictured)
The tragic death of Senior Sergeant Wiblen comes 13 years after the murder of his colleague Damien Leeding (pictured)
Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said Senior Sergeant Wiblen’s death was a devastating loss for the police force.
“The service stands in solidarity with Brendan’s family, friends and colleagues in providing support during this time of grief,” it said.
‘It is absolutely devastating that Brendan lost his life during an event honoring our fallen members.
‘This is a heartbreaking loss for our entire service, particularly Brendan’s colleagues on the Gold Coast who worked closely with him day in and day out.
‘His passing will have a significant impact on the officers who not only valued his leadership but also considered him a dear friend.’
Members of the public performed CPR on Sgt Wiblen (pictured left) before paramedics arrived, but the 58-year-old could not be saved and died at the scene.
Liberal candidate for the Gold Coast state seat of Gaven, Bianca Stone, led tributes to the much-loved senior officer on Wednesday night.
“He was a great guy, always up for a chat and a laugh. My heart goes out to his loved ones and the entire police family,” she posted Wednesday night.
Sgt Wiblen’s police family also shared their shock at the news.
“I can’t believe it. I’m in complete and utter shock. I’m so saddened by the news. I’m so saddened by the news,” one officer wrote online.
