Road to Hope participants make new friends, encourage each other, learn the stories behind each participant, attend the memorial stops, and remember why they are riding.
Thursday, May 9th, 2018, nearly 400 cyclists departed Chesapeake, VA on a 250 mile, three-day ride to Washington, D.C. Known as the “Road to Hope,” this annual ride is put on by Law Enforcement United and honors those officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Clark Nexsen’s Dan Walker, a principal and leader in our Public Safety practice, has supported the Road to Hope as a volunteer for several years. Last year, Dan served as a support member on the Hotel Transportation team, ensuring luggage made it to the right hotels and room keys into the right hands. This year, he had the opportunity to be part of one of three Food teams who were responsible for breakfast, lunch, and several breaks during each day of the ride. As a primary volunteer in one of two “hydration trucks,” Dan had the opportunity to see and interact with the riders several times a day and found the experience moving, enlightening, and rewarding.
The ride is noted by all as both a physically and emotionally taxing, but fulfilling, experience. In that spirit, Dan also wore a remembrance band, inscribed with the name of Reserve Sergeant Joseph Pozell, a member of the Washington Metropolitan Police Department who died tragically in the line of duty in 2005.
As a volunteer law enforcement officer for 30 years himself, Dan was deeply moved by the opportunity to honor the memory of a fellow volunteer officer. Dan shares that, “Serving as a volunteer police officer and being part of the law enforcement community has meant a tremendous amount to me. Participating in the annual Road to Hope ride, and wearing this remembrance band in particular, is an incredibly moving experience and a special opportunity to give back.”
Children cheer the Road to Hope cyclists on during their 250-mile charity ride to honor and raise awareness of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.
The Clark Nexsen Foundation is proud to support Law Enforcement United and their efforts to support survivors and honor lost officers. To learn more about Law Enforcement United and the groups supported by their efforts, please visit https://www.leunited.org/.