[July 28, 2012]
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Terry Roderick is one of the
leaders of the Illinois group. He comes from Springfield, where
he is a member of the Sangamon County sheriff's office. Each
year he rides along with his wife, Sarah, for this event, then takes
the bike home and puts it away until next year.
Roderick spoke about one
incident where an officer was killed in the line of duty in the
Effingham area. He located the surviving wife of another officer
and they made the trip to Effingham. Roderick said that when they
arrived at the home of the new widow, her response was to look at
the lady accompanying him, and ask, "You've been through this?"
When the widow
accompanying Roderick responded that she had, the newly grieving widow
clearly showed the sense of relief she felt at knowing there was
someone beside her who understood what she was feeling.
Pictures by Nila Smith |