TERRE HAUTE —
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Cops Cycling for Survivors and 53 Indiana police officers ended the longest day of their 13-day statewide journey Sunday at the Terre Haute Police Department.
Officers rode about 98 miles from Kentland to Terre Haute on Sunday. The entire 1,000-mile ride this year is in honor of Terre Haute Police Officer Brent D. Long, who was shot and killed July 11, 2011, while he and other officers served a felony warrant at a house on North Eighth Street.
Terre Haute Police Officer Pete Horstman rode while wearing the leash Long used with police dog, Shadow, who was wounded in the shooting, but has since recovered. Horstman wrapped the leash around his shoulders.
“Brent was one of my best friends and was my SWAT partner for four years,” Horstman said.
Horstman and fellow Terre Haute Police Officer Mark Brown are each riding the entire 1,000-mile trek. Horstman said he did not train for the ride.
“I’m doing good now,” he said with a smile at the end of the ride Sunday. “When it gets hard, you just think of this,” gesturing to the leash, “and I have a photograph of [Long] on my bicycle,” said Horstman, a 22-year veteran of the police force.
Brown, who will retire July 31 after 25 years on the Terre Haute police force, regularly rides a bicycle, along with his wife, Becky, who is participating in this year’s ride. The husband/wife team bicycles about 5,000 miles a year, Brown said.
“I am riding to honor Brent Long and his family,” Brown said. “We have visited with other survivors along the way. It was hot, but it was a good ride [on Sunday],” he said.
“This is a very worthwhile thing. It is just a small thing that we can do for the families” of fallen officers, Brown said.
Police Chief John Plasse rode a motorcycle from Clinton to Terre Haute as part of an escort for the police cyclists on Sunday. “You have to give these guys and girls credit; it is tough,” especially with temperatures in the mid-90s, Plasse said.
Plasse said the cyclists will continue today to Princeton.
The ride last year raised about $40,000. The ride has raised approximately $300,000 over the past decade, according to the Cops Cycling for Survivors Foundation Inc.
Reporter Howard Greninger can be reached at (812) 231-4204 or howard.greninger@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
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Cops ride: The Indiana Cops Cycling for Survivors group rides along Ind. 63 on its way to Terre Haute on Sunday.
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Cops rider: Terre Haute police officer Pete Horstman is making the 1,000 mile ride through Indiana with Cops Cycling for Survivors.
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Heat waves: Heat radiates off Ind. 63 as riders in the Cops Cycling for Survivors are escorted into Terre Haute on Sunday.
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Cops: Participants in the 10th Annual Cops Cycling for Survivors ride along Ind. 63 south of Clinton en route to Terre Haute. This year they are riding to honor slain THPD officer Brent Long.
Discussion
Law enforcement cyclists going the distance for survivors
Ride honoring fallen THPD officer Brent Long hit Terre Haute on Sunday
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