Race Across America and Team SacPD

It is approaching 2 p.m., race start. Thousands of people are milling about the Oceanside Pier in Southern California, and you are one of them. Nervous, you look out past the crowd, about a mile up the road.

One mile of the 3,000 that lies ahead.

You are proud because you know this is for the ultimate cause: honor. You are strong, assured by months of hours long training through rain, bitter cold, and pain. You are ready.

Having traded badge and gun for helmet and bicycle, you are part of the first ever law enforcement team taking on the challenge of Race Across America.

A nine-day non-stop grueling bicycle race across 12 states begins June 18. This historical first is because eight local Sacramento Police Officers decided it was time to bring attention to the national sacrifice 900,000 brother and sister officers make each year when they stand on the thin blue line.

The team is raising funds for The National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C., a graceful 304-foot curving wall of blue-gray marble etched with names--the names of each officer who has fallen on duty dating back to the first known death in 1791. Visitors can pay tribute on three tranquil and tree-lined acres in Judiciary Square. Each spring during National Police week, new names are added.

Our Sacramento Police Department hopes to bring much attention to their cause by relay bicycling across the United States. Destination: Annapolis, MD., City Dock.

“Why not start big!” says one young team member, enthusiastic for the adventure ahead. Why not, indeed.

Some numbers:
19,000 officers have been killed on the job.
53 hours. On average every 53 hours another officer falls.
375 miles per day, or more.
170,000 vertical feet to climb.

They have 216 hours to race across America. By the time our team finishes, four more names will be waiting to be added to this wall. Please honor these men and women who give the ultimate sacrifice and the team who pays tribute to them all, for us.

Donate here: .sacpd.org/teamsacpd/raam/donate.html

Article | Kate Traci

Photo | Kati Garner