RPD Officers to Bike in Memorial Ride Ending at Marathon Finish Line

Several Reading Police Officers will participate in a memorial bike ride to honor the life of Officer Sean Collier, who was killed after the Boston Marathon bombings.

Every year, officers participate in the Tour de Force, which is a memorial ride to remember those who lost their lives on 9/11. This year, that ride will incorporate "Sean's Ride" to remember Officer Sean Collier who lost his life too soon this past April.

On September 8, 250 participants will leave from Ground Zero and cycle through New York City before making their way to Rhode Island. In Rhode Island, those participants will be joined by riders participating in "Sean's Ride." They will cycle 65 miles from Providence to Boston, and the ride will conclude at the Boston Marathon finish line on September 11.

Reading Police Officers Matt Edson, David Savio, Sean Wilson and John Edson along with Sergeant John McKenna will take part in "Sean's Ride."

"It's just a tribute to our occupation and the sacrifices that officers have made over the years, losing their lives in the line of duty," Matt Edson said.

He decided to participate immediately after he learned about the ride, he said.

“Quite a few of us jumped on right away once we heard about the benefit ride," he told Patch. 

The officers will meet the other riders in Rhode Island where they will have a police escort for the first several miles. Then they will ride alone, but reunite with a police escort about 10 miles before the finish line in Boston.  

"It's certainly for everyone involved in the whole tragic incident, but emphasizing Sean who lost his life as a law enforcement officer as a result of the whole incident," he explained.

Both he and the other officers are training for the ride. He has been doing a lot of mountain biking and training with the other officers to "make the 65 miles a little easier."