14th Annual Illinois C.O.P.S. Cycle Across Illinois to be in Logan County of Friday

 

[July 18, 2018] 

The Illinois Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (" C.O.P.S") will hold their 14th Annual Cycle Across Illinois, a charity bicycle ride to support the Illinois families of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. The 300+ miles ride will begin at the Mississippi River in Alton, IL and end at the Cook County Sheriff s: Off ice in Maywood. The riders are survivors, law enforcement officers from many different agencies, and supporters of law enforcement.

During each day, the group will observe dedications to several officers who have died in the line of duty. As the ride moves across Illinois, the riders will be joined by law enforcement agencies who escort them through their jurisdiction. Families, supporters, universities, agencies and local businesses have also joined to help feed and provide rest areas for the riders. These generous donations enable Illinois C.O.P.S. to focus resources that send survivors to a variety of programs that help them begin healing and form lasting, supportive-relationships with other survivors.

The ride began in the summer of 2005, with 10 riders and two support trucks. This year, there will be nearly 60 riders and several police/support vehicles. Each rider is required to raise a minimum of $700.00 in donations. This ride began with the inspiration of Lt. Gary Dudley of the Indiana State Police, who rode with us in July of 2016. In August of that same year, Gary was killed in Indiana doing a similar ride for survivors in Indiana.

Friday, July 20th C.O.P.S. will make two stops in Logan County.

The first stop is scheduled for just before 11 a.m. at the Lincoln Rural Fire Protection District.  There, the bikers will take a longer break and enjoy lunch provided by Eminence Church.

After lunch the group will proceed north with another stop scehduled in Atlanta and the Atlanta Fire Protection District at approximately 12:45 p.m.

The group will stop for the night on Friday in Bloomington.  There will be a special remembrance held at the IBEW Local 197 in Bloomington at 2:27 p.m. honoring fallen Special Agent David Hoefler.

In 2017 there were 126 officers who died in the line of duty that is one death every 69.52 hour s. In Illinois, there were six officers' names added onto the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington DC and the Illinois Police Officer Memorial in Springfield, Illinois.

COPS is extremely grateful to all the departments, universities, businesses and supporters who host them for their breaks, meals and overnight accommodations. Through this generosity, our survivors are able to enrich their lives. The media is welcomed to meet the ride and riders.

IL COPS is a registered 501c3 charitable organization. If you would like to make a donations checks are to be made out to IL COPS and mailed to:

Concerns Of Police Survivors-Cycle Across Illinois
PO Box4312
Wheaton, IL 60189

[Submitted by Officer Maurice Johnson, Lincoln Police Department]