The off-duty police officer who died after losing control of his motorcycle and crashing was taking part in a memorial ride in honor of a close friend and colleague.
Gold Coast Senior Sergeant Brendan Wiblen, 58, died on Wednesday afternoon during the first leg of the Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance.
Emergency services were called to the Gwydir Highway near Glen Innes in the Northern Highlands of New South Wales after Sgt Wiblen attempted to overtake another cyclist but lost control and rode off an embankment.
Fellow drivers and bystanders tried to resuscitate him before emergency services arrived, but were unable to revive him.
Senior Sergeant Wiblen was one of hundreds of riders taking part in the annual national event honouring police officers killed in the line of duty. The ride started a few hours earlier in Brisbane.
It later emerged that he had taken part in the march several times in memory of a murdered fellow Gold Coast police officer.
Detective Chief Inspector Damian Leeding, 35, was shot in the face at close range at the Pacific Pines Tavern during a botched armed robbery in May 2011.
Three days later, the father of two died in hospital.
Gold Coast officer Brendan Wiblen (pictured) died on Wednesday during the Wall 2 Wall Ride for Remembrance near Glen Innes in the Northern Highlands of NSW
He took part in the ride in memory of his murdered colleague Detective Senior Constable Damian Leeding (pictured with his wife Sonya)
Last year, Sergeant Wiblen was accompanied by his son Liam on the Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance.
His death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from the police community.
Defeated cyclists stopped in Armidale on Thursday to reflect and express their condolences, accompanied by NSW police officers.
The memorial ride has now resumed and will end in Canberra on Saturday with the blessing of Sr Sgt Wiblen’s family.
“Brendan has completed the Wall to Wall ride several times over the years and we are incredibly sad that he is no longer with us,” Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior told reporters on Thursday.
‘Brendan completed this ride for his mate (murdered police officer) Damian Leeding who was killed in the line of duty.
“Brendan was a man of integrity. He was a loyal man and a man who was highly respected by his colleagues on the Gold Coast. I know he will be greatly missed.
“These riders will ride today in his memory. They will have solemn thoughts during their long ride today – but also thoughts of happiness.”
Sergeant Wiblen served with the Gold Coast Police for 28 years.
He was a district officer and previously operational leader of the Central Patrol Group.
He is also known as a former police union leader who was loyal to 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)
“Brendan was a dedicated officer who served with distinction throughout his career,” said Brian Swan, Assistant Commissioner of the South East Region.
‘He was highly regarded by his colleagues and was known for his attention to detail and sharp humor.’
“His dedication to the community will not be forgotten and our thoughts are with everyone who knew Brendan at this incredibly difficult time.”
Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said the death of Sgt Wiblen was a great loss to the force, less than two years after Constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow were shot dead during what should have been a routine job on a property in Wieambilla.
“The service stands in solidarity with Brendan’s family, friends and colleagues and offers support during this time of grief,” he said.
“It is absolutely devastating that Brendan lost his life at an event honoring our fallen service members.
“This is a heartbreaking loss for our entire service, and especially for Brendan’s colleagues on the Gold Coast who worked closely with him day in, day out.
“His passing will have a profound impact on the officers who not only valued his leadership but also considered him a dear friend.”
Members of the public performed CPR on Sergeant Wiblen (far left in the photo) before emergency services arrived, but the 58-year-old man could not be saved and died at the scene.
Bianca Stone, candidate for the Gold Coast state seat of Gaven, led a flurry of tributes to the beloved senior officer on Wednesday night.
“He was a great guy, always up for a chat and a laugh. My condolences go out to his loved ones and the entire police family,” she posted.
Sergeant Wiblen’s family also reacted with shock to the news.
“I can’t believe it. Complete and utter shock. I’m so saddened by the news. I’m so saddened by the news,” one officer wrote online.
More than 3,000 cyclists from across Australia will gather in Canberra on Saturday for a memorial service in the nation’s capital.
The annual ride is a run-up to National Police Remembrance Day on September 29.
