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Ride for law enforcement held during H-D celebration
Ride for law enforcement held during H-D celebration
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Bikers gathered at the House of Harley for a pre-ride ceremony on Thursday, August 29th, to honor law enforcement heroes. The ride was a solemn moment, a break from the usual merriment of the festivities.
"We honor the living and salute the dead," said Milwaukee County Sheriff Deputy Inspector Ed Bailey.
The line-up included former CHiPs star Erik Estrada and bikers took off from Greenfield High School, ending at the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office Training Academy in Franklin.
"Today we stand together, Harley riders and law enforcement, as one family to honor the greatest servant leaders and to recall their ultimate expression of their love for us," said Bailey.
Family members of two fallen Milwaukee County Deputies, Sergio Aleman and Ralph Zylka, laid a wreath in remembrance of their loved ones. Aleman died last year when his vehicle rear-ended a tow truck on I-43. Zylka died in 2000 in a helicopter accident in Dodge County while assisting in the search for a suspect.
"It brings back a lot of memories but it also means that my father, and other officers who gave the greatest sacrifice, are being remembered and that's what is really fantastic," said Stephanie Zylka.
Proceeds from the ride will benefit "Concerns of Police Survivors" or COPS. COPS National President Madeline Neumann, whose husband was killed in 1989 during a drug raid, just six weeks after they were married, says events like this help survivors.
"It's nice for them to see people who have walked in shoes that they're in and they have survived and they have embraced life and have been able to move forward in a positive manner," said Neumann.