Bike ride to D.C. kicks off National Police Week

It has been three years since a Richmond-area police officer was killed in the line of duty, but officers here and across the nation will take time this week to honor their fallen comrades.

Law-enforcement agencies in Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico have memorial services and other activities planned today and tomorrow as part of National Police Week.

The annual rite got under way yesterday with more than 250 officers on bicycles rolling through the streets of Richmond on their way to Washington in a two-wheeled tribute to fallen officers.

"We ride for those who died" was the inscription on the back of the blue-and-white cyclist jerseys worn by participants, who represent 60 Virginia agencies and departments from as far away as England.

After riding north from Chesapeake on Sunday, the 2009 Police Unity Tour began the second leg of the three-day ride at the state Capitol, where riders were greeted by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, before heading 75 miles north to Aquia.

Today, they complete the trip to Washington and convene at the National Law Enforcement Memorial with other officers to participate in an annual ceremony in honor of the fallen.

"It's a great tradition," said Kaine, who participated in a Richmond-to-Washington ride two years ago. Late last week, Kaine presided over the state's annual ceremony, recognizing three Virginia law-enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty while serving their communities.

"Every year, sadly, in Virginia we usually have someone we need to commemorate," Kaine said. "So far in'09, I'm crossing my fingers we're doing pretty well, but it's just really important that these folks gather."

The 240-mile ride also is a fundraiser for the memorial and survivors' families in need.

Nationwide, deaths of law-enforcement officers dropped 27 percent last year, from 182 in 2007 to 133 in 2008, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

But preliminary figures show a 26 percent rise in officers' deaths through May 10 of this year, compared with the same period in 2008, according to memorial fund figures.

Chesterfield police officer Gary J. Buro was the last Richmond-area officer killed in the line of duty. He was fatally shot May 4, 2006, after responding to a domestic dispute in Ettrick.

Among this week's local events:

• Richmond police will hold a memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony today at 10 a.m. at the department's training academy at 1202 W. Graham Road.

• Henrico police will hold a Police Memorial Day on Wednesday, which includes a noon wreath-laying ceremony at Henrico Police Memorial Park, 4301 E. Parham Road. That will be followed by a 7 p.m. memorial service at St. Paul's Baptist Church, 4247 Creighton Road.

• Chesterfield police will hold a wreath-laying ceremony today at noon at the Chesterfield Police Memorial on the grounds of the Historic 1917 Courthouse. That will be followed by a 7 p.m. service at Colonial Heights Baptist Church at 17201 Jefferson Davis Highway.

• The Hanover Sheriff's Office will hold a memorial breakfast today at 7 a.m. at VFW Post 9808 at 7168 Flag Lane in Mechanicsville. An awards ceremony recognizing the 2008 achievements of individual deputies will follow at 2 p.m. at the Hanover Administration Building.

Local, state and federal officers will participate in the Bike for the Blue memorial ride, a 115-mile bicycle trek from the state Capitol to Washington to attend National Police Week activities.

Contact Mark Bowes at (804) 649-6450 or .

Contact Jim Nolan at (804) 649-6061 or .