Riders cycling 361 miles along the shore of Lake Michigan to honor and remember Michigan law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty

The Michigan Police Unity Team has announced that thirty-six (36) riders from across the state and country will cycle 361 miles along the shore of Lake Michigan, starting in Stevensville and concluding in Petoskey to honor law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty in Michigan. 

Line of Duty Deaths are a real risk with wearing the badge and the Unity Team raises needed funds for Michigan Concerns of Police Survivors (Mi-COPS), a chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors. Mi-COPS sole purpose is to provide support to surviving law enforcement families and co-workers in rebuilding their lives after the traumatic and life-changing experience of losing an officer in the line of duty.

Participating individuals are current officers, retired officers, and survivors of fallen officers from throughout the state and country.  There will be participants from Las Vegas, Phoenix, Indiana and Vermont.  Each cyclist fundraises to cover their expenses and to make a significant donation to Mi-COPS.  Last year, $15,000 was donated directly from these participants.  The goal this year is $25,000.

In 2020, ten Michigan law enforcement officers died in the line of duty, including five COVID deaths. This year, to date, one Michigan officer has died in the line of duty as a result of COVID.  These tragic, sudden occurrences have left children missing their mothers and fathers, parents missing their children, and our communities missing their guardians of safety. 

The TBSL planned a pre-ride memorial service on Sunday, August 15, at the Michigan Law Enforcement Memorial, located on West Allegan Street in Lansing. The official start of the ride will be on Monday, August 16, in Stevensville with nightly stops in Muskegon, Mainstee, Traverse City and Petoskey.