They were hot and they were tired, but the 160 police officers who made it to Fort Hunt Park Tuesday were pleased with their success. Dana Johnson, president of C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors), serves as the administrative assistant of the tour and has participated in the ride every year.
"Considering the logistics involved with this many riders, I think that it went very well," he said. "The hardest part was yesterday [Monday] and today with the hills. One officer broke his clavicle and there were several cases of heat stroke, heat exhaustion and sprains."
Lt. T.J. Rogers and Officer Jon Bobel said that they thought the first day was the hardest.
"The second day wasn't as bad, because I hydrated more," said Bobel.
Rogers said, "It was painfully hot."
ON HAND TO greet the riders were family members, friends, neighbors and members of the local police forces. Lieutenant Michael D. Dittmer, Assistant Commander, Mount Vernon District Station, and Father Ronald Gripshover came to welcome back five of their members from the Mount Vernon District Station: Officer James Krause, MPO Greg Kottemann, Lt. T.J. Rogers, Officer Jon Bobel and Detective Abbas Tabatabale (Tabby).
Waiting for their father, Sgt. Jose Garcia of Alexandria, were Andrew, Kaitlyn and Emily Garcia. Also from Alexandria was Ryan Fard, who gave his father, Officer Shahram Fard, a big welcome hug when he arrived.