The 420 plus mile trek has become a local tradition in law enforcement to honor the men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty. In the early morning hours of April 1, 2007, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Officers Jeff Shelton and Sean Clark were killed protecting the community. When Officers Clark and Shelton were killed, there were funerals and grieving and collections of funds to benefit the families of those officers. Yet, some people in the law enforcement community still wanted to do more. They wanted to do something physical in their honor – something they could do to honor Officers Shelton and Clark.
On May 9, 2007, four cyclists from CMPD, Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office, and Charlotte Airport Police got on bicycles and headed out from the CMPD Headquarters to make the four day journey. Four years later and the event has become a tremendous draw, attracting riders from Law Enforcement agencies as far away as New Jersey. This year 70 riders are expected to participate in the ride; the tragic loss of Officer Fred Thornton this past February 25th has given a renewed sense of purpose to every cyclist.
Please join CMPD on May 10th for a special presentation to the wife of fallen CMPD Officer Fred Thornton during the opening ceremony which begins at 8:30 a.m. Come on out and give these men and women the recognition they deserve before they wheel off in honor of their brothers and sisters in law enforcement who made the ultimate sacrifice, for us citizens!!!
For additional information on the ride and how you can get involved, please visit their website. I hope to see you there!!!