Cycle Across Illinois, a four-day, 300-mile bicycle ride by 73 police officers statewide, came to 14 suburban locations July 13-16.
The ride was a fundraiser by Illinois Concerns of Police Survivors, a Montgomery-based nonprofit.
Aurora’s Police Department (APD) was host to the series Saturday, July 15. (See photo on page 16.)
At Aurora APD, Commander Steven Stemmet welcomed attendees to a brief ceremony in the station’s community room. He thanked Illinois Concerns for holding the event.
A Cycle official presented boards containing patches from police departments participating in the ride to family members of Sgt. Kenneth J. Thurman, Jr. and Officer Brian R. Shields. Both Aurora officers died in 2022 due to COVID-19.
APD bikers were officersGrant Weil, Ryan Blaskey, Matt Meyers and Sgt.Gerald Marrero. Volunteers from Aurora Citizens Police Academy Alumni group assisted at the reception.
Other bikers included Curt Kiebles of Winfield, a retired Wheaton PD officer who recorded his 19th annual ride.
The tour started in Springfield Thursday, July 13 and ended in Rosemont Sunday, July 16. At each stop, local fallen officers were remembered and family members attending were recognized.
From Aurora, the bikers continued to the Naperville Police Department Saturday, July 15.. Sunday, July 16, they visited Downers Grove, Maywood (Cook County Sheriff Police), Forest Park, Chicago (District 16) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Chicago Service Port.
Founded in 2005, Cycle Across Illinois was started as a memorial and statewide fundraising bicycle ride.
Cycle volunteers assist families of on-duty fallen officers with monetary support and by attending memorials and retreats that assist families in their grief journey.
Donations may be sent to COPS, 7 Hunter Court, Montgomery, IL 60538.
For more information, send E-mail to Contact@ilcops.org, or visit ilcops.net.
—Al Benson