More than 300 police officers on bikes arrived May 12 at Fort Hunt Park for lunch. The officers were taking part in the Police Unity Bike Ride. The ride started in Chesapeake, Va. and ended later on Thursday at the Police Memorial in Washington D.C.
Eleven Alexandria Police Officer participated in this year's ride and two officers provided support services. Forty-three officers from Fairfax County rode and seven provided support. Donations and proceeds from the event are given to families and children of slain officers.
After lunch, the riders continued north on the George Washington Parkway and made a stop at Hopkins Court in Alexandria. In 1989, Alexandria Police Department Officer Charles Hill was shot and killed. Sgt. Jesse Harman, who was part of the hostage negotiation squad and at the scene at Hopkins Court in 1989 addressed the officers and told them about the life and death of Officer Hill. A moment of silence followed, after which the officers completed their ride into Washington.