Thousands of Motorcyclists Ride For Fallen Officers
Aug 18, 2019, 5:28 PM | Updated: 7:19 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Thousands of motorcycle riders including law enforcement officers from all over the state took to the streets Sunday in honor of our fallen brothers in blue.
The Utah Law Enforcement Memorial Ride for Fallen Officers is a yearly tradition. It’s a special tribute to the state’s 145 officers who died in the line of duty.
This year’s ride started at the Timpanogos Harley Davidson in Lindon and ended at the State Capitol.
“When you’re coming up to the capitol and seeing the city… it’s just like I’m proud to be a Utahn,” said Les Lynch, a local biker who has participated in the event for several years.
The ride ends at the Memorial for Fallen Officers where each of their names are inscribed.
Hundreds were welcomed by Chief Sol Oberg, Kaysville City Police Department and President of ULEM, around the memorial.
According to Oberg and other participants this year was one of the biggest turnouts they’ve had with anywhere between 3000-4000 bikers.
They listened as Davis County Deputies Brad Lund and Joe Chinatown performed Cold Cell Story.
Chief Jack Carruth, of the South Salt Lake Police Department, addressed the attendees and shared memories of fallen Officer David Romrell.
“One of the hardest things for me to accept is that David had so much to offer,” shared Carruth.
“What’s more important than to take a moment and just stand together? There’s probably five or six-thousand bikes here gathered in the name of fallen officers. That’s a statement,” shared another biker Glen Petit.
Oberg named the three officers who have died in the line of duty in the last year. They are Assistant Chief Dennis Vincent from Brigham City, David Romrell of the South Salt Lake Police Department, and Joseph Shinners from the Provo Police Department marked the 145th in the state.
“We’re trying to honor Joe and his memory,” expressed Ray Swanson, Shinners’ father-in-law.
Swanson shared Shinners’ wife, Kaylyn Shinners, is pregnant with the couple’s second child and is due in five weeks.
“She is so appreciative of the community, so many throughout the state have reached out to her, throughout the country,” Swanson shared as he held back tears.
The fallen officers ride is put on by the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial, a non-profit dedicated to helping the families of fallen officers in the state.
To find out more about the organization and donating, you can visit, utahsfallen.org.
