BLUFFTON, Ind. (WANE) — Riders in the 23rd annual Cops Cycling for Survivors prepared for day three of their 13-day journey around Indiana’s borders by stretching their legs and having breakfast.
Cyclist John Heath shared that on Wednesday, the bikers are traveling from Bluffton to Angola with stops in Decatur, Fort Wayne, and Auburn to honor fallen officers.
In Fort Wayne, the cyclists attended a ceremony at Lodge 14, hosted by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). During the event, each participant read the Officer Down Memorial Page of the officer they chose to honor. FOP Foundation Leader Mitch McKinney explained that this ceremony is the organization’s way of acknowledging the struggles and sacrifices of the survivors and their fallen officers.
The 1,000-mile trek aims to honor Indiana law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty and to support the friends and families, or survivors, of the fallen officers. This year, Cops Cycling for Survivors highlights the seven law enforcement officers who died last year, including Auburn officer Master Trooper James Bailey of the Indiana State Police.
“It feels good to be able to think about them, to remember them,” Heath said. “The things they’ve said to me, their smiles, their laughter—just the time we enjoyed through the years together.”
ISP Sgt. Brian Walker reported that the organization had raised $45,000 before the cyclists left Indianapolis on July 8. He hopes that donations will increase to provide more funds for law enforcement survivors through checks and scholarships.
A stretch of I-69 in Auburn will be officially renamed after Master Trooper Bailey on Friday.
For more information on Cops Cycling for Survivors and to donate, visit their website.