CLEVELAND — On Sunday, the 11th annual Cops Ride made its way through downtown and beyond to remember fallen officers all over the country -- and right here in Ohio.
A group of more than 500 motorcyclists gathered in front of the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial to honor the 163 officers who died in the line of duty in 2018.
Mentor officer Matthew Mazany was killed in a hit skip crash last June during a traffic stop on Route 2.
Cleveland patrol officer Vu Nguyen collapsed during a K9 training exercise last July and died just days later.
Westerville officers Anthony Morelli and Eric Joering were shot while responding to a 911 hang up call during a domestic dispute.
Motorcyclists paid a $25 fee to participate in the ride, which took them through downtown to the Harley Davidson in Bedford Heights.
“I think its great and it shows the community that there is support for us police officers out there. Me being retired, I’m just taken away by all the support that is given. People out there, you always hear the bad things about policemen, but these people, they’re here to show, hey, we’re behind you guys,” Joe Mannion, president of the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial Society, said.
All of the proceeds from the ride go to the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial Society and the upkeep of the park and memorial.
