Illinois Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors enjoys lunch break in Lincoln
Lincoln Rural and Crystal Bale receive recognition from IL COPS

[July 17, 2017]  LINCOLN - This is the second year that bicyclers for the Illinois Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors have taken their lunch break in Lincoln. It is also the thirteenth year for the annual bike ride from southern to northern Illinois. The ride raises awareness of, as well as funding to support the programs offered through the IL COPS, which are to assist families as they cope with the loss of their police officer loved one.

In years past the ride has made a rest stop at the Logan County Safety Complex in Lincoln, then rode on to Atlanta where the Eminence Church of rural Atlanta provided the meal at the Fire Station there.

Last year, the group that normally sticks close to the Route 66 Trail from Alton to Chicago veered from that tradition to ride to Tremont for a special memorial service for a fallen officer in that area.

Lincoln Rural was asked in 2016 if it would be willing to host the lunchtime break and they were happy to do so. According to a presentation made during the day on Friday to Chief Chris Buse of the LRFPD, Lincoln officer Corporal Maurice Johnson, an IL COPS participant, Buse contacted him after the 2016 event and said that the department had been honored to host the group, and would like to do it again in 2017.

Because the group follows Route 66, Lincoln is a natural stopping place. The fire department combined with the Logan County Paramedics offers more than enough space for parking the many escort vehicles that come in with the bikers. There is also plenty of space for the bike racks to be set up as well as the trailer that serves to offer repairs and maintenance on the bikes as needed.

While this year, the Friday weather was pleasant, the interior of the station offers plenty of space out of the sun for the food line as well as tables and chairs for everyone. Large fans set up inside the building keep the room comfortably cool.

Each year, the group rides from Alton to Springfield in the first leg of the four day ride. Before setting out on day two, they assemble front of the State Capitol for a group photo. Multiple copies of the photo are printed and each of the participants signs his or her name on each one. Those prints are then framed and presented as gifts of appreciation throughout the balance of the journey.

In appreciation of the accommodations made by the LRFDP, one such photo was presented to Buse and the entire fire department.

Johnson also presented a photo to Crystal Bale, who served as the local coordinator for the Lincoln stop.

Johnson noted that he called Crystal to help with the coordination because he personally would be on the ride. He said Crystal picked up the ball and kept it rolling, coordinating with the church for the lunch and the LRFD as well as LCPA. He noted that she is also a member of the Lincoln Rural Fire Board, and said the presentation was a gift of appreciation to Bale as well as the LCPA for their efforts and their willingness to welcome to group to Lincoln.

[Nila Smith]