PRINCETON, Ind. (WFIE) – Monday day 8 of the 25th annual Cops Cycling for Survivors ride.
Cyclists traveled from Terre Haute to Princeton on Monday, continuing a journey that takes riders across Indiana each July to honor law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty and support their survivors.
Cyclists from many different walks of life take part in the ride. Among them are retired officers and family members of fallen deputies.
Kourtney Hacker joined the ride to honor her husband, Deputy Asson Hacker, who died in 2023. She said she was inspired to participate after watching the cyclists arrive in Evansville that year to honor him.
“When they rode in to honor him that year, I was just so inspired,” Hacker said. “It was emotional but it was so heartwarming that they chose to do something like this. They didn’t know me, they didn’t know my husband. It just really sparked a fire, and I’m like, ‘I wanna do that.’”
Forrest Kieser, a retired sergeant with the Dubois County Sheriff’s Office, is among those riding all 13 days. He said riders are welcome to join for as little as one day.
“It’s truly enjoyable, it really is,” Kieser said. “My biggest encouragement would be one day, two days, come out and give it a try. I think once you do you’ll be hooked, and you’ll be with us for longer next time.”
Both Hacker and Kieser described the group as a close-knit community.
“It becomes a summertime family to be honest with you,” Kieser said.
Hacker said the support from fellow riders keeps her focused on her ‘why.’
“The long stretches they’re back there motivating saying, ‘Hey you got this. You can do it. Remember what you’re doing, remember who you’re doing it for,’” she said.
The cyclists are staying overnight at Princeton Community High School and are scheduled to head to Jasper on Tuesday. The ride concludes Saturday after 13 days.
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