SD Officer Becomes Nation's Only Amputee Motorcycle Cop

SAN DIEGO, CA — When San Diego Police Officer Mark Wright accepted a badge with a spoked wheel sprouting two Hermes-like wings struck through with an arrow Thursday, he formed a club of one -- the only amputee motorcycle officer in the United States.

Wright, a 25-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps, joined the San Diego Police Department following his retirement as a sergeant major from the Marines -- with three combat tours, one in Afghanistan and two in Iraq -- as the oldest recruit in his police academy class.

Then, on March 13, 2022, Wright was involved in a collision while driving to Temecula that left him with "a bum leg and a shattered pelvis." He said when he saw his left foot, he knew it would need to be amputated.

Around eight months later, following hospital and physical therapy visits by then-SDPD 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 other officers through SDPD's rigorous 120-day motorcycle training course. Officers Herb Rivers, Jonathan Burnet and Matt Araoz will mount their bikes with Wright as the spring 2025 graduating class.

All of the officers will receive that aforementioned badge, one spoked wheel with two wings coming from the hub, that all "motors" in the country earn.

Training involved hours of slow maneuvers in Snapdragon Stadium's parking lot (and up and around the trolley stop), as well as escort training, speed training and anything else that allows motorcycle officers to navigate both city and highway traffic while conducting law enforcement operations.

Following the presentation of the four officers' certificates, an SDPD- produced movie featuring highlights (and bloopers) set to a monologue by podcaster Joe Rogan and songs by Metallica and Eminem was shown. Each officer dealt with difficulties, including Aroaz losing teeth in an unscheduled sandy road dismount.

But Wright, a lower-left leg amputee, may have had the most difficult time. The SDPD brass scrambled to try 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 Sergeant Joe Clark.
Wright has also received the Theodore Roosevelt Police Award in 2024. This award recognizes officers "who have overcome significant physical challenges and continue to serve with distinction," according to the award site. He is the second San Diego police officer to win the award.

He previously served in SDPD'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."