The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Motorcycle riders rumble for Cops Ride
Members of the local community gathered June 24 at Lake Erie Harley-Davidson, 38401 Chester Road in Avon, to ride their motorcycles in honor of the men and women of local police departments.
“I love being part of it every year, it is truly a great event,” said Mike Stevens, owner of Lake Erie Harley-Davidson. “It is a big annual event, that is in its 10th year now, and it is all about the brave men and women who serve on our police forces.”
Stevens said the event is still going strong.
“John Kilol, the president of Cops Ride, had a great vision for the event, and it is great to see the number of people that come out for the cops each year,” he said. “The event is held at different Harley Davidson locations each year, but this year it starts and ends here.”
Stevens said it is an honor to have his dealership involved so prominently.
“We are talking about the people who go to work everyday and put their lives on the line for the rest of us,” he said. “It is important to take the time to reflect on the sacrifice they make on a daily basis; this
is the least we can do.”
Stevens said the event never lacks support from the riders that come out and show their passion for the men and women of law enforcement.
“The community has shown up for the event every year, and it’s great to see,” he said. “Riders donate $25 per person, some more than that, and it’s nice to see the passion they have as they come out here. It really serves as a great way to support law enforcement. They go from here to the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial, at the corner of W. 3rd Street and Lakeside Avenue, for a memorial ceremony. They then travel back here going past police stations in the process. It is a really neat route, and police officers know the bikers are coming and wave at them. They come back here and enjoy lunch and music. It is truly a tremendous experience through and through.”
Tom Roso, a Bay Village resident who road in the event, said he loves the opportunity to support cops.
“I have family in law enforcement,” he said. “My father was an officer and my nephew is currently a member of the police force. We can’t do enough for them, because they have done so much for us. Our communities are as good as they are
“I have family in law enforcement. My father was an officer and my nephew is currently a member of the police force. We can’t do enough for them, because they have done so much for us. Our communities are as good as they are because of the great job law enforcement does.”
— Tom Roso, Bay Village
because of the great job law enforcement does.”
Cops Ride is a Cleveland area non-profit organization composed of volunteers from both law enforcement and the private sector. Donations from Cops Ride benefit The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial Society, and Ohio Concerns of Police Survivors, according to a news release.