“We ride in memory of those who paid the ultimate price for their dedication to service and duty. We place the wreaths in honor of their supreme sacrifice,” said Gary Lyons, LawRide Founder.
This Mother’s Day, in the wee hours of the morning, law enforcement officers and motorcycle enthusiasts gathered at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC to prepare for the 16th Annual LawRide to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Hundreds of riders past the U.S. Capitol, down Pennsylvania Avenue, and up 6th Street on their way to the Memorial.
Immediately following the ride, a ceremony was held and four ceremonial wreaths were placed at the Memorial’s center medallion, to honor all the fallen heroes of American law enforcement.
Sadly, 10 of the 316 newly engraved names belong to motorcycle officers – six from 2010 and four other officers from dates as far back as 1921. Over 1,250 motorcycle officers have their names inscribed on the Memorial.
It has been over 100 years since the first recorded motorcycle officer death: John Slade of the Pasadena, CA, Police Department was killed on June 1st, 1909, when his department-issued motorcycle was struck by a train.
As usual, LawRide served as the kick-off to National Police Week 2011.
Upcoming on the National Police Week Schedule:
Monday, May 9th: 32nd Annual DC Area Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Service, organized by the Fraternal Order of Police DC Lodge #1 Auxiliary. Begins at 11 AM at the Metropolitan Police Department Memorial Fountain, 300 Indiana Avenue, NW.
For more information about National Police Week 2011, including a complete schedule of events, visit www.LawMemorial.org/PoliceWeek.