SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Law enforcement, their families, local leaders, and supporters gathered in downtown Springfield Saturday to begin the 12th annual Ride to Remember.
Springfield Police searching for missing 39-year-old The ride began at 8:00 a.m. at the corner of Main Street and Boland Way and featured a 70-mile loop to Hartford and back. The annual Ride to Remember began 12 years ago to honor fallen Springfield Police Officer, Kevin Ambrose, the 36-year-old officer who was shot and killed while trying to protect a young woman and her child from her boyfriend during a domestic disturbance.
Since then, the ride has been dedicated to other fallen police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.
This year’s ride pays tribute to fallen Hartford Police Officer Bobby Garten , a 34-year-old officer who was killed in a crash while responding to a call. There will be a total of three rest stops along the route, and riders will pay special tribute to Garten at the second rest stop on the Connecticut River at Riverside Park in Hartford.
The ride also recognized Springfield Police Officer Nestor Santos, who joined today’s event with gratitude after a serious injury during a shooting earlier this summer.
“We ride every year for fallen officers, fallen firefighters,” said Ride Coordinator Sgt. John Delaney. “We want to make sure that people that live in this state remember that there are people that went to work one day and they didn’t come home to their families.”
Following the ride, bikers and their families are invited to an afterparty inside the Springfield Marriott. There will be a catered dinner, a concert by General Gist, beer provided by Vanished Valley and White Lion Brewery, and showers provided by the on-site YMCA.
Mayor Domenic Sarno of Springfield will attend the Ride-to-Remember event on Saturday. Mayor Sarno states, “I want to thank retired Sgt. John Delaney and his team for continuing this heartfelt event to honor our fallen first responders. This year will mark the 12th anniversary ride that was started to honor the memory and legacy of the fall of Springfield Police Officer Kevin Ambrose, who is always in our hearts and never be forgotten. Special thanks to our city team, all the volunteers, police officers, and first responders, and to the riders and their families for making this year’s event another successful ride and an event to remember.”
Beyond honoring first responders who lost their lives in the line of duty, this event is an opportunity for the community to express their thanks for the work they do.
“Everyone does so much, right? So this is our one way to support them and give back to them.,” said Nikki Sicad of Belchertown.
“We need each other,” added Deb Himmen of Springfield. “And it’s very important to show our support out there.”
This support is essential for bringing law enforcement and the community together, making Springfield a safe and happy place to be.
“We need the community to wrap their arms around law enforcement because it’s a thankless job,” said Sgt. Delaney. “Thank a policeman and firefighter because they do it to save your lives.”
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