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NLEOMF Ambassador Michael Kellems began his law enforcement career as a 15-year-old Police Cadet for the La Porte County Police Department (IN). In 1986, Mike joined the police department full time, where he served for 32 years. Having experienced his first line-of-duty death, Patrolman Neil Thompson in 1981, Mike has passionately served to honor those killed in the line of duty.

He has volunteered with Cops Cycling for Survivors since 2010 and has also volunteered with NLEOMF partner organizations, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS). Having retired from the La Porte County PD in 2018, Mike currently serves as a patrolman for the Purdue University Northwest Police.

“Throughout my career, I have always felt a profound duty to honor the men and women who have died in the line of duty. This led me to the CC4S and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Ambassador Program. The missions of the Memorial and CC4S align perfectly with my passion and sense of duty to support law enforcement by paying tribute to our fallen heroes and bringing attention to the Memorial. This hallowed institution not only honors our fallen but also tells the story of American law enforcement and strives to keep names off the wall,” said Kellems, who provided NLEOMF with the incredible story of CC4S, below.

In December of 1998, the 56th session of the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy class graduated. Within 10 months, Troopers Richard Gaston and Jason Beal were struck and killed by motor vehicles in separate incidents. Another Trooper, Cory Elson, was killed during a traffic stop when he was shot by an individual as he approached the vehicle.

ISP Lieutenant Gary Dudley, a training officer at the academy, felt it was of the utmost importance for this significant loss to never be forgotten. Lt. Dudley organized others in 2002 and 2003 and participated in the Police Unity Tour, riding from Indiana to Washington, D.C. Then in 2004, Lt. Dudley decided to begin a ride in Indiana with an emphasis on honoring all of Indiana’s fallen officers. Initially coordinating with the Indiana chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors, the group later formed Cops Cycling for Survivors (CC4S).

The annual ride targeted all four corners of the Hoosier state and would always stop in the community where a police officer had been killed in the line of duty the year prior. Many other honor stops would be made along the way as the cyclists would pedal all day and then bed down for the night at a police station, fire department, or church.

On August 22, 2006, as the riders made their way south on SR 63 in a rural portion of the state, the support truck following the cyclists was struck from behind by another truck. The impact pushed the support vehicle into the cyclists, killing Lt. Dudley and Lake County Police Deputy Chief Gary Martin. Chief Martin was one of the founding members of CC4S.

2006 was the only year the ride was not completed. The cyclists were undeterred by the double tragedy, and every year since, they have made the nearly 1,000-mile journey.

The annual journey begins with a ceremony at the Police and Fire Memorial, located in the shadows of the Indiana State Capitol building. Cyclists raise funds on the donation page of the CC4S website (copscycling4survivors.org). For much of the past decade, there have always been 13 riders who complete the 13-day ride. Along the way, riders often join the ride for one, two, or several days. Cyclists are made up of current and former law enforcement officers, family, friends, and supporters. Coleen Schultz has pedaled every year since her son Nick Schultz, a Merrillville, Indiana police officer, was killed in the line of duty on September 7, 2014. Bloomington, Indiana Police Officer Monica Zahasky, the current president of CC4S, has participated every year since 2002.

The planning for the ride begins nearly a year in advance. The logistics of such a task are divided among board members and volunteers and include memorial stops, overnight accommodations, meals, break locations, and most importantly, meeting with surviving family members and co-workers of Indiana’s fallen heroes. The cyclists share time with roughly 300 survivors each year.

At each honor stop, a fallen police officer’s story is read, and a CC4S flag is left, letting anyone who visits a grave or site where a police officer has died know that their service and sacrifice were not forgotten. Every morning and at each meal break, typically a dozen stories, often referred to as “ODMP’s,” are read, followed by a moment of silence. Every effort is made to read the names of the nearly 500 Indiana police officers that have been killed in the line of duty. In between stops, the group, escorted by four ISP motors, a lead and two follow-up ISP patrol cars with the support vehicle wedged in, makes their way up and down hills big and small and through all types of Indiana’s ever-changing weather.

The funds raised, totaling nearly a half-million dollars since 2002, are used to further the CC4S mission. Scholarships throughout Indiana, such as the one named for Patrolman Neil Thompson, a La Porte County Police Officer killed on 9/21/1980, receive funds from CC4S. They also provide immediate financial support to the family of any fallen officers in Indiana.

The cyclists, a dedicated and loyal group, will tell you that they won’t quit and that the mission of remembering those who died for their community will not stop. They often quote Lt. Dudley, who coined the phrase, “the pain you’re feeling is nothing compared to the pain our survivors feel every day following the loss of their loved one.” Sage wisdom from a wise policeman who saw the need to honor our fallen and lost his life doing what is most important for our heroes… riding and remembering.

Inspired by Mike Kellems’ dedication to law enforcement and community service? Consider joining the NLEOMF Ambassador Program and become a part of our mission to honor the fallen, tell the story of American law enforcement, and make it safer for those who serve. As an Ambassador, you’ll have unique opportunities to contribute to the noble cause, such as participating in the annual Candlelight Vigil and throwing out the first pitch at Major League Baseball games. Contact us to learn more about how you can make a difference. Your commitment can be a shining light in the world of law enforcement.

All active and retired law enforcement officers are encouraged to apply.