Monday, July 8, 2024, marks the start of the 23rd annual Cops Cycling for Survivors bicycle ride around Indiana. The ride honors Indiana’s fallen law enforcement heroes and ensures their survivors know they and their loved ones are not forgotten. With the motto, “Riding to Remember,” the event commemorates officers killed in the line of duty throughout Indiana’s history.
A departure ceremony is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. EDT at the Police and Fire Fighters Memorial, located on the east side of the Indiana Government Center North in downtown Indianapolis. The ceremony will feature remarks by Amy Gaston-Stehr, survivor of Trooper Richard Gaston, and Amy Elson, survivor of Trooper Cory Elson. Cyclists will embark on their 13-day journey around the state following the ceremony.
This year’s ride pays special tribute to the seven officers who died in 2023:
- Deputy Asson Hacker, Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, End of Watch March 2, 2023
- Master Trooper James R. Bailey, Indiana State Police, End of Watch March 3, 2023
- Maintenance Foreman Michael Robert Keel, Indiana Department of Correction, End of Watch April 12, 2023
- Trooper Aaron N. Smith, Indiana State Police, End of Watch June 28, 2023
- Sergeant Heather Glenn, Tell City Police Department, End of Watch July 3, 2023
- Deputy Sheriff John Durm, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, End of Watch July 10, 2023
- Deputy Sheriff Timothy J. Guyer, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, End of Watch August 1, 2023
Officers recognized by state and federal officials as line of duty deaths in 2024 will be honored in 2025.
The dates and route for the 2024 Cops Cycling for Survivors ride are:
- July 8th – Indianapolis to Richmond
- July 9th – Richmond to Bluffton
- July 10th – Bluffton to Angola
- July 11th – Angola to South Bend
- July 12th – South Bend to Merrillville
- July 13th – Merrillville to Kentland
- July 14th – Kentland to Terre Haute
- July 15th – Terre Haute to Evansville
- July 16th – Evansville to Tell City
- July 17th – Tell City to Jeffersonville
- July 18 – Jeffersonville to Madison
- July 19 – Madison to Columbus
- July 20 – Columbus to Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis
