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Law enforcement officers from
across the state will come together on Tuesday, May 1st at 10:00 a.m. for
a special gathering on the steps of the Georgia State Capitol. Following
the tragic loss of twelve (12) Georgia law officers last year, Fulton
County Sheriff Jacquelyn H. Barrett, and Atlanta Police Chief Beverly
Harvard will discuss plans for this weekend's "Georgia Police
Memorial Ride" to be held on Saturday, May 5th, from Turner Field, to
Stone Mountain Park.
Representatives from several
law enforcement agencies are expected to attend Tuesday's press
conference, including officers who experienced the loss of one of their
own in the year 2000.
Last year, forty-two (42)
officers lost their lives in the line of duty in the United States. Twenty
(20) of those officers were from the southeast. Georgia currently ranks
second in the nation in the number of law enforcement officers killed in
the line of duty. The Georgia Memorial Police Ride is sponsored by the
"Blue Knights"; an organization of law enforcement bike riders.
The ride was developed to give motorcycle enthusiasts and riders from the
community an opportunity to show their support for these fallen officers
and their families. Although participation in the ride will mainly consist
of motorcycles, law enforcement agencies from across the state are
expected to participate in marked patrol vehicles.
In honor of the officers who
died while serving their communities last year, Saturday's ride will be
lead by a parade of twelve (12) motorcycles; each carrying a custom flag
in memory of a fallen officer. The memorial flags will be presented to
each of the twelve (12) agencies at the conclusion of the ride.
Overall, twenty-eight (28)
children have been affected by the loss of these officers.
Proceeds from Saturday's ride
will be used to cover transportation, lodging, and miscellaneous expenses
for family members who will be attending the National Law Enforcement
Memorial ceremony in Washington D.C., beginning Sunday, May 13th.
At Tuesday's conference,
Sheriff Barrett and Chief Harvard will discuss the memorial ride, events,
and what people in the community can do to show their support.
For
further information, please contact Sergeant Clarence Huber at (404)
730-4148.
Sergeant Huber can also be reached on his digital pager at (404)
833-8884.
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