San Diego police Officer Mark Wright as of Thursday leads a club of one as the only amputee motorcycle officer in the United States.
Wright, a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, joined the department following his retirement as a sergeant major from the Marines, after three combat tours, one in Afghanistan and two in Iraq.
He was the oldest recruit in his police academy class.
Then, on March 13, 2022, Wright was in a collision while driving to Temecula. It left him with “a bum leg and a shattered pelvis” and when he saw his left foot, he knew it would need to be amputated. He lost his lower-left leg,
Around eight months later, following hospital and physical therapy visits by former police Chief Dave Nisleit, he returned to duty with a prosthetic and an upbeat demeanor.
“The only two things in life you can control are your attitude and your behavior,” Wright said before the motorcycle police graduation ceremony. “And if there’s something you learn in the Marine Corps and as a police officer, its that no days are guaranteed.”
At the San Diego Police Officers Association headquarters Thursday, Wright joined three others who completed the department’s rigorous 120-day motorcycle training course. They will mount their bikes as the spring 2025 graduating class.
He and officers Herb Rivers, Jonathan Burnet and Matt Araoz all accepted badges with a spoked wheel sprouting two Hermes-like wings struck through with an arrow. It’s one that that all “motors” in the country earn.
The course involved hours of slow maneuvers in Snapdragon Stadium’s parking lot (and up and around the trolley stop), as well as escort and speed training, and anything else that applies to navigating both city and highway traffic while conducting law enforcement operations.
The ceremony included a movie featuring highlights (and bloopers) set to a monologue by podcaster Joe Rogan and songs by Metallica and Eminem.
Each officer dealt with difficulties, including Aroaz losing teeth in a sandy road dismount. but for Wright, department brass scrambled. They tried to make the unit accessible, considering special bikes or modifications.
“The only thing we didn’t think of was just to set him loose,” said training Sgt. Joe Clark.
Wright also received the Theodore Roosevelt Police Award in 2024, which recognizes officers “who have overcome significant physical challenges and continue to serve with distinction.” He is the second San Diego police officer to win the award.
He previously served in the department’s Central Division on the Balboa Park enforcement team.
“His assignment comes with many physical obstacles, such as traversing up and down steep canyons, conducting enforcement in extremely inaccessible areas and enforcement patrols while riding ATVs,” according to the Roosevelt Award nomination.
“I’m extremely humbled by the experience, and happy. I’m a pretty strong-willed individual.” Wright said. “I hope my story reaches someone challenged like myself and reminds them of what you can do if you set your mind to it.”
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