Frank Falappi: Far North Queensland police officer honoured at funeral
A respected policeman and Far North Queensland mountain biking legend was remembered as an “exceptional” officer, father, husband and friend during a moving service in Mareeba.
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A respected policeman and Far North Queensland mountain biking legend was remembered as an “exceptional” officer, father, husband and friend during a moving service in Mareeba.
Police sergeant Frank Falappi died suddenly after losing control of his bike on the Smithfield Mountain Bike park on May 9.
Mr Falappi, 57, was an experienced rider and was in training for the upcoming UCI Masters Mountain Bike World Championships.
His funeral was held at the Mareeba International Club on Tuesday morning, and opened with Purple Rain by Prince.
The sister of Mr Falappi’s wife Colleen read out a eulogy on her behalf.
“My heart, my love, my heart aches without you, I am endlessly grateful for the beautiful marriage,” Mrs Falappi wrote.
“I am so grateful I got to be your wife, though our time was cut short unfairly so I wouldn’t trade a moment of it.
“You used to tell me, if I had not met you when I did, I would have spent my life looking for you.
“This next chapter will be the hardest thing we’ve ever faced, but your love will carry us through.
“I feel so blessed to have been your wife and to have raised our daughters with you.”
Mr Falappi’s eldest daughter Tenille said her father’s love was “quiet but ferocious”.
“Frank was a friend, a son, a brother, an uncle, a husband and a father,” she said.
“But however you had the honour of knowing him, I hope you know how lucky you are.
“He had an unwavering belief that the people he loved could achieve anything they set out to achieve.
“My dad was meant to grow old, he was meant to ride bikes for many years to come.
“Words will not be able to describe to you how much I miss my dad, his wicked sense of humour, his terrible dance moves and his unwavering love.”
Police colleague and friend of Mr Falappi, Inspector Jason Smith, delivered the traditional police valedictory at the service.
“(Mr Falappi) was the kind of police officer that was there for his mates,” Mr Smith said.
“He was one of the leaders for the Crime and Traffic Connecting on Highways program (CATCH).
“Frank was a leader throughout the state in this space, training our people on how to stay safe and how to be good cops.
“On the July 2, 2023 Frank was transferred to Mareeba Station, in recognition of his work ethic, leadership, passion and drive to keep his community safe.
“On December 21, 2023 Frank was promoted to the rank of sergeant at Atherton Police Station.
“Frank’s confidence and capability also saw him completing higher duties as officer in charge of Atherton police station.
“Frank was a colleague and friend who was taken from us far too soon.
“He was an exceptional police officer who thoroughly enjoyed his policing career, and his passing is a tragic loss to his family, the Queensland Police Service and the community that he served.”
Friend and fellow member of the Cairns Mountain Biking Club Adam Gowlett said Mr Falappi was “instrumental” in growing the sport in Far North Queensland.
“Frank was the club president from 2010 to 2017, and without Frank’s drive and resilience there probably wouldn’t be a club today,” Mr Gowlett said.
“He was instrumental in bringing back the 2014 and 2016 World Cups and the 2017 World Championships.
“Our sport is not without its danger, every rider knows that.
“Every mountain biker has been over the bars at some point in time — cuts, grazes, broken bones — it’s all part and parcel of our sports, but fatalities are incredibly rare, and so is Frank.
“The last thing he said to me the day before the event was, ‘See you on the weekend, man, we’ll have some fat chats’, I’ll miss our fat chats, that’s for sure.”
“Crankworx, another international event with worldwide reach, came to Cairns in 2021 and it probably wouldn’t have come here without Frank being in the background, working hard as he always does.
A guard of honour was formed outside the club following the service.
Far North District police chaplain Doug Foster said Mr Falappi died doing what he loved.
“We come together with family and friends and colleagues to honour and to remember Frank Falappi, who tragically passed away doing what he loved,” Mr Foster said.
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Originally published as Frank Falappi: Far North Queensland police officer honoured at funeral
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