Project
999
2001 Memorial
Bike Ride
On May 4, 2001, 45 law enforcement officers, each representing one officer, from their respective department, who was killed in the line of duty, will attend the California Peace Officer Memorial, in Sacramento. Orange County Sheriff Michael S. Carona is the keynote speaker at the memorial.
Upon completion of the memorial, the riders will be transported, by bus, to San Francisco. After spending the evening in San Francisco, they will then begin a five-day, 516-mile bicycling journey to the Orange County Peace Officer’s Memorial Candlelight Vigil. This is not a race. In fact, there will be days when it is mandatory to ride together as a whole (e.g. first and last day). This is the first ride of its kind and will require extensive training, planning and commitment from everyone involved. (Click here to view the Rider Commitment)
The tentative itinerary is as follows:
Thursday, May 3rd: All riders will depart for Sacramento by 1400 hours. Once in Sacramento, we will be assigned hotel rooms.
Friday, May 4th: At approximately 1030-1230 hours, at the Memorial Monument, riders will attend the State Peace Officer’s Memorial, in our jerseys and matching sweat pants. Immediately afterwards, we will be transported to San Francisco for a ferry ride to Fisherman’s Warf. From the Warf we will be escorted by members of the San Francisco Police Department as we ride to our perspective hotels and check into our rooms for some relaxation before the journey begins.
Saturday, May 5th: (125 miles) Departing from San Francisco for Monterey, riders will start as a group, at 0530 hours.
Sunday, May 6th: (120 miles) Riders will start as a group at 0530 hours. The goal is beautiful Morro Bay and a good night’s rest.
Monday, May 7th: (125 miles) Heading to Santa Barbara, all riders will leave together at 0530 hours. In Santa Barbara we will enjoy dinner hosted by the University and then settle in for the night.
Tuesday, May 8th: (91 miles) Starting 0700 hours, we will go from Santa Barbara to Santa Monica.
Wednesday, May 9th: (55 miles) Riders will depart 0800 hours. The final day takes us to Sunset Beach where we will regroup and prepare for our arrival at the memorial. Our original idea was to meet up with any other riders (e.g. Chief’s, Sheriff’s, other law enforcement riders, public figures, and friends and family of law enforcement) before riding in mass to the Civic Center in Santa Ana. However, upon further discussion and consideration by ride coordinators it has been decided that the liability of allowing others to participate in an insured event was too great. In addition, there is some concern that by including celebrities, and other public figures, the focus would be taken away from the 45 riders that accomplished this amazing feat. It is the dedication of the riders that will make this event possible and it is therefore necessary for them to be recognized for their efforts and support of their fallen fellow officers. If we are early, we expect to be furnished with a lunch, an opportunity to take showers and change into finisher shirts/jerseys, in preparation for the candle light vigil. At the ceremony, riders will line up together and one by one, they will lay a rose at the base of the memorial, in honor of those who sacrificed so much.
Please click here to see a current list of event sponsors!!!
It is easy to see the potential of this event with the media, inter-agency cooperation, surviving family members and the citizens of Orange County. This event will grow each year. We expect other counties to follow our example. It is with great confidence that we say we can and will present a quality event, supporting a worthy cause.
Project 999 is a fund supporting fallen officers and was created by the Orange County Sheriff’s Advisory Council. Project 999 provides assistance to the family of any officer who is killed in the line of duty while in Orange County. Most recently the fund assisted the survivors of Deputy Steve Parsons who was killed in the line of duty after being struck by an elderly driver who ran a red light in Laguna Hills.
For the past 4 years, SAC/Project 999 has put on the “Run for the Heroes”. This is a yearly, 5K/10K race at Irvine Park to raise funds for the Project 999 fund. Last year over 700 runners participated in this event and this year promises to be the best yet.
In addition, this year the SAC hosted the Inaugural Ride to Remember ~ Presidents’ Weekend Bike Event at the retired El Toro Marine Base. This event included a ride-a-thon, USCF criterium race, 3-man police team challenge, a cyclocross, a BMX exhibition, law enforcement displays, live music and numerous vendors. Inclement weather had some affect on participation and turn out but positive response from riders and all who participated ensure that this event will continue to grow and be a profitable fundraiser for the Project 999 fund.
For more information or to make a donation, please contact Sergeant Randy Sterett:
