Each day, Indiana law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way to keep their communities safe and each year some officers pay the ultimate price in performance of their duty. On July 8, 10 members of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office participated in the first day of the Cops Cycling for Survivors bike ride to remember and honor those officers who have been killed in the line of duty. While riding almost 80 miles from Indianapolis to Richmond on Day 1 of a 13-day, 1,000 mile trek, deputies met with families and survivors of fallen officers as well as stopped to memorialize the officers. Deputy Bryant Orem said this is the third year that the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office has participated in the ride and the group raised nearly $1,700 to contribute to the ride this year.

The Cops Cycling for Survivors foundation assists with the financial and emotional needs of survivors as well as making sure that fallen officers are never forgotten. Each summer, the group sponsors a bike ride that circles the state. More than $26,000 was raised this year in the Ride to Remember.