Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Pedro Echeverria assigned to the Parks Bureau Mounted Enforcement Detail recently traded in his equine partner for a bicycle to ride in the Police Unity Tour. The Police Unity Tour is an annual ride where Law enforcement personnel join together and complete a bicycle tour while raising awareness for their professional brothers and sisters who died in the line of duty. The event also serves as the largest fundraiser for the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial and Museum, located in Washington D.C.
This year, Deputy Echeverria was one of twelve deputies and one civilian from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department who participated. He rode in Memory of Detective Jeremiah MacKay, San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department. Detective Jeremiah MacKay was shot and killed as he and other deputies attempted to apprehend a murder suspect in Big Bear on February 12, 2013.
Deputy Echeverria said that this year’s ride was a bit challenging due to the weather, as the first day they covered approximately 90 miles in the cold and rain with some added hail. They even had to take cover due to lightning in the area. The second day, they traveled from Philadelphia, PA to Baltimore, MD covering over 108 miles with stops every 25-30 miles for hydration and quick snacks. He said there were times during the three day trip that you experienced the beginnings of heat exhaustion and hypothermia while traveling through the different climates. You would get to a point where you were totally exhausted from peddling for hours and start to complain; and then you think about why you are there. “Jeremiah can’t feel or complain anymore, I’m here representing him and his family,” Deputy Echeverria said. All along the route, firefighters, fellow law enforcement officers and their families lined the highway at different locations. They stood at attention and saluted as we passed and the firefighters extended their ladders and hung an American flag as the riders passed underneath, it was an inspiring experience.
The Police Unity Tour ends in Washington D.C. where they attended a candlelight vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial. This is where Deputy Echeverria removed and presented the bracelet bearing the name of Jeremiah MacKay that he wore for the 250 miles he rode to Detective MacKay’s parents.
The Police Unity Tour’s motto is, “We ride for those who died.” Deputy Echeverria said, “It’s not easy to do all of the fund raising, travelling and completing the ride, but we can’t forget our fallen Brothers and Sisters and I’ll be back next year.”
