CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Hundreds of cyclists laced up their shoes and prepped their bikes for a long ride to Washington D.C. to remember officers who died in the line of duty.
“My riding has been a healing mechanism for me,” said Brenda Tiffany, taking part in the ride.
Tiffany is still grieving the loss of her son, a Kentucky State Police trooper. She said Cameron Ponder died in the line of duty nearly eight years ago after responding to a traffic stop.
“There was a pursuit and then the car broke down and Cameron’s cruiser ran into it and then he leaned out the window and unloaded his gun and shot Cameron,” she said.
Wednesday morning, she and several members of Law Enforcement United and Police Unity Tour got up early for a three-day bike ride raising awareness for those who lost their lives in the line of duty.
“Everybody is being brought together through a hobby of cycling," said Dedric Bond, the Law Enforcement United Virginia Division vice president. "And through that hobby of cycling and struggling through the hills, you’re talking through those stories. It takes their mind off the pain.”
Cyclists with Law Enforcement United left from Chesapeake, and Policy Unity Tour's bikers left Norfolk for the 250-mile ride to Washington D.C.
“We’ll ride for about an hour, hour fifteen minutes," said Griggs Wall, the president of Police Unity Tour Chapter VIII. "We’ll stop off at various towns that we’ve already designated.”
Law enforcement officers and supporters traveled to Hampton Roads from several states including Florida, Texas and Minnesota. During the ride up hills and through Virginia, they’re reminded of the sacrifice these officers took to keep their communities safe.
“You just sit there and remember that what I’m going through right now is nothing more than what the family and everyone else is going through. So a little bit of pain on my part is worth it,” said Jason Lurkins, a member with Police Unity Tour.
Law Enforcement United plans to ride about 100 miles and stop in Richmond.
Wall said Police Unity Tour will do about 112 miles and stop in the Tappahannock area.