It's bad enough having to watch out for dumb azz cages, they don’t know any better.

Ride safe and be your brothers (and sisters) keeper.





Tragedy strikes Bradenton police

REBECCA BLUE

Herald Staff Writer

BRADENTON - Bradenton Police Sgt. Tyler Mathews loved motorcycles, and it was always a dream to attend the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota.

This year, his wife, Lisa, surprised him with a trip to the world famous event for his 40th birthday, which was Thursday. Their four children stayed back in Florida.

Friday afternoon, Tyler Mathews was killed when the 2006 Harley Davidson he was driving collided with another motorcycle near Rapid City, S.D.

Although it may take a while for his fellow police officers to realize they will never again see his smiling face in person, he will always be in their hearts and prayers, said police Chief Michael Radzilowski

"When we think of him in the future, it will not only be as a policeman, but as the good, whole, well-rounded person he was," Radzilowski said.

Mathews was traveling eastbound on U.S. 16A near Custer State Park about 3:35 p.m. when another motorcyclist traveling westbound, turned left into Mathews' path. The two collided and Tyler Mathews, who was not wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead on the scene, according to a South Dakota Highway Patrol news release.

Lisa Mathews, who was a passenger on the motorcycle at the time of the accident, suffered minor injuries and was being treated at a South Dakota hospital. The other motorcyclist, who suffered a broken leg, may be charged with careless driving, according to the news release.

Sgt. Mathews, whose four children ranged from elementary to high-school age, participated regularly in each of their activities, according to fellow officer and friend, Maj. William Tokajer.

"His kids are very active and he was active for his kids. They were his life," Tokajer said.

Tokajer and Mathews shared deacon responsibilities at the Church of the Rock in Palmetto, where Mathews' brother, Tad, is a pastor. Tyler and Lisa Mathews also ministered youth at the church.

Mathews' children are staying with their uncle at his Palmetto home

"Our family, while devastated from our loss, has a deep and abiding faith in Jesus," Tad Mathews said. "Though our grief is seemingly unbearable, we are merely separated from Tyler for a season. He has now arrived at the place where we will one day be through our faith in Christ."

Tyler Mathews began his tenure at the Bradenton Police Department as a dispatcher in the communications department more than 10 years ago, according to Maj. J.J. Lewis.

"As a dispatcher he fell in love with law enforcement, went to the police academy and was hired by the department," Lewis said. "He excelled in his duties. He had a knack for traffic enforcement."

Mathews was promoted to sergeant, supervising the traffic unit. He took part in numerous vehicle checkpoints and was a member of the community traffic safety team and was an experienced traffic homicide investigator, Lewis said.

His love for motorcycling didn't come to a halt when he was on duty.

"He was assigned to a police department motorcycle and was an experienced rider," Lewis said.

Another one of his favorite hobbies - singing.

"He loved opera and he loved to sing," Lewis said. "He was always singing."

Mathews will be remembered as "a man with a heart of gold, who was serious about law enforcement," Lewis said.

The department is waiting to hear from his family as far as how to proceed.

"We're going to help them and do whatever we need to do to help them get through this," Radzilowski said. Rebecca Blue, criminal justice reporter, can be reached at rblue@HeraldToday.com or at 708-7919.

 

Buying a motorcycle doesn't make us any smarter than we were when we were cagers only.

 

wow its so sad to hear that.

 

That's the trouble I have with riding in packs or going to rallies. Too many are out there that are new to riding and have no clue. They ride week ends only and no experience.

I hate seeing/hearing about fellow riders in accidents. especially where there is a death.

 

Whapp, i'm not so sure about that. I am a new rider and recently took the BRC and I know that I am much more aware of bikes on the road when I am in the cage than I ever was before and Hub has even commented that I seem to be driving the cage differently. As far as being on my bike I am still well into the white knuckle stage and try to be ultra careful when I am on the road but I know that it would only take one mistake to possibly end my life.

 

I just lost 9 weeks of riding after being rearended by another bike at a rally. Just got my bike back a week ago. The guy just put his head down for a second, according to the police report, and then ran his hiway peg into my rear pipe. I dont trust anybody.[:@]

 

Truly sad news...

 

Mnhorsemom. You did more than just buy a motorcycle. You bought a motorcycle and also took the BRC. In your case I agree that it makes you better all around but there are alot of "illegals" out there that never took BRC and did nothing more than buy a motorcycle. In that case they're still as stupid as they were before they bought a bike.