Photos courtesy of Peoria Police Department
Peoria Police Deputy Chief Marcel Spaulding, Sergeant Bryan Rauzan, Sergeant Brandon Sheffert, and Detective Matt Hebard traveled to Atlantic City, New Jersey in May to participate in the 2023 Law Enforcement United Road to Hope Bicycle Ride. These Peoria officers, along with other officers from Arizona and across the country, rode bicycles 250-plus miles from Atlantic City to Washington D.C. to honor the service and sacrifice of all law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty and to remember the survivors left behind.
The vision of Law Enforcement United is to raise awareness of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty, provide monetary and awareness support for the Road to Hope Bicycle Ride, Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), The Officer Down Memorial Page (O.D.M.P.), and Spirit of Blue Foundation. The group also assists other charitable organizations that share their common goals. The three officers also participated and represented Peoria in numerous events during Police Week in Washington D.C.
Each officer conducts fundraising for the Road to Hope and utilizes personal funds for all expenses. This event, although not funded by the city or the Peoria Police Department, is a great opportunity for these officers to represent and show the support of the police department and the city of Peoria nationally.
The department posted updates on the Peoria Police Department social media platforms throughout the ride so the community could see the journey taken.
