Carrollton and Coppell Police Officers Ride for Fallen

James Roth, jroth@acnpapers.com

Every year police officers fall in the line of duty; and while the loss of an officer sometimes goes unnoticed, fellow officers choose to remember what these individuals did for their local communities.

Six officers from the Carrollton Police Department and two from the Coppell Police Department will make the annual bicycle trek from Virginia to Washington, D.C., to take part in the 2010 Law Enforcement United Memorial Ride May 10-12. The objective of LEU is to raise public awareness of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty and provide support for organizations who share the same goals.

“We are trying to continually raise the awareness for the officers who have died on duty and the families that are suffering,” said Officer Anthony Taylor of Carrollton. “We want to gain that relationship of the survivors of those fallen officers to let them know that they are not alone and we are here for them.”

Every officer participating in the event must raise money to partake in the festivities. Each officer from both Carrollton and Coppell is trying to raise close to $2,000 to pay for expenses such as hotels and food. Of the $2,000 raised by each officer, $1,250 will be donated to multiple charities that help remember fallen officers and also help family members who are grieving and struggling.

“The Officer Down Memorial Page memorializes fallen officers and tells the stories of their lives so that others may remember them as time passes on,” said Officer Andrew Horn of Carrollton. “Also, the Concern Over Police Survivors (C.O.P.S) organization supports families and friends of fallen officers by providing many services, such as grief counseling, social gatherings and assistance in handling the final affairs of the fallen officers.”

In the three-day events riders will cover 240 miles passing, through many of Virginia’s largest cities, including Williamsburg, Richmond and Alexandria before arriving in Washington, D.C. The event is one of the first events in National Police Week.

“We will ride in at the beginning of the week and it will help kick off Police Week,” said Officer Otis Kue of Carrollton. “We will also take part in the other events going on during National Police Week, such as memorials and services in D.C. There is a lot going on.”

All but two officers have participated in the bike ride in previous years. Leading up to the event, the officers know that they must train their bodies for the long three-day haul.

“You have to train leading it; however, it has been hard because the weather has been bad here recently,” said Sgt. Derick Miller of Carrollton, who is participating in his second ride. “Eastern Virginia is very hilly terrain; all three days are arduous, so you have to train and be prepared.”

The eight officers from the Carrollton and Coppell area will represent Team Texas in the event. Other states participating in the event include Tennessee, Minnesota, Wisconsin and New England. Every state and rider will have a common goal, and a slogan that they follow. “For three days, we ride as one, united for a common cause: to ensure our fallen brothers and sisters are never forgotten.”

For these officers it is more than just a bike ride. This ride represents officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and have given their lives protecting and serving their local communities. These eight officers want to make sure that their legacy carries on and that they are remembered.

“The experience to go to D.C. and see the impact it makes on everyone I think that is a lot,” said Horn. “We want to show that people do care; we care about each other. People call it a brotherhood and it truly is, we owe it them and I am looking forward to it.”

The officers representing Team Texas and riding in this year’s Law Enforcement United from Carrollton are: Greg Fraid, Michael Gibbs, Andrew Horn, Otis Kue, Derick Miller and Anthony Taylor. Tony Pletcher and Kirk Smith are from Coppell.

Team Texas is officially sponsored by the Carrollton Police Officer’s Association, a non-profit charity. Anyone wanting to make a donation to help the cause can send their donation to CPOA Charities, 2025 East Jackson Road, Carrollton, Texas. 75006.

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