Monday, July 10, 2023
INDIANAPOLIS – Participants in the 22nd annual Cops Cycling for Survivors bicycle ride left Indianapolis Monday morning on a 13 day trek around the state.
After a brief ceremony at the Police and Fire Fighters Memorial on the capitol grounds in downtown Indianapolis the group headed to Ri
chmond. The ride pays respect to Indiana’s fallen law enforcement heroes and lets their survivors know they and their loved ones are not forgotten.
This year’s 13 day trip around the state will once again bring the riders to Auburn on Thursday, July 20. After spending the night in Angola riders will make their way through Auburn as they travel to Bluffton on day 11.
The motto of Cops Cycling for Survivors is, “Riding to Remember,” and each year the group works to honor officers killed in the line of duty throughout Indiana’s history.
While Cops for Survivors honors all Indiana’s line of duty death officers, recognized by state and federal officials as receiving line of duty death benefits, this year’s ride pays special tribute to four officers who died in 2022. Those remembered during this year’s ride include Deputy Sheriff Noah Rainey, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, End of Watch January 29, 2022; Deputy Sheriff Douglas Sanford, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, End of Watch March 29, 2022; Police Officer Noah Shahnavaz, Elwood Police Department, End of Watch July 31, 2022; and Police Officer Seara Burton, Richmond Police Department, End of Watch September 18, 2022.
Also honored this year is Correctional Officer Gary Weinke, Indiana Department of Corrections, End of Watch April 25, 2020, who was recognized by officials as a line of duty death in 2022.
Officers recognized by the state and federal officials as line of duty deaths in 2023 will be honored during the 23rd annual ride in July 2024.
The Cops Cycling for Survivors annual bike ride consists of active and retired police officers, law enforcement survivors, law enforcement family members and friends of law enforcement riding their bicycles around the perimeter of Indiana to raise funds and awareness of the sacrifices made by Hoosier law enforcement families across the state.
To keep track of the rider’s progress visit www.copscycling4survivors.org.