Local bicycle group rides from Rochester to DC in honor of fallen Monroe County deputies

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — A ride, for those who died.

On Saturday, four members of the Rochester-Area Bicycle Team left the city and ride to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C. as part of an annual ride, and they’re doing it in honor of local deputies.

The ride was part of the Police Unity Tour, and the RABT rode in memory of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office bicentennial, paying tribute to the 11 fallen deputies who have died in the line of duty since the office was founded in 1821.

Police Unity Tour 2021 Ceremonial Sendoff. We wish riders @RochesterNYPD Ret. Capt. Lynde Johnston, Ret. Lt. Cheryl Fridley, Officer Adam Johnston, & MCSO Ret. Dep. Liz Gudonis well on their journey to Washington. This year’s ride is in honor of MCSO’s Fallen. pic.twitter.com/pRugvvoJTt

— Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (@monroesheriffny) October 8, 2021

Each bicyclist wore memorial bracelets during the ride. Riders included a group of retired and current Rochester Police officers and a retired deputy.

"This wall in Washington, D.C. grows every year, that’s an unfortunate part of the business but a part of our business that we take not for granted," Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter said. "But we take it head-on, and we’re risking everything when we’re doing our job on a moment’s notice, and our families are risking everything so we cannot let people forget why we do this."

In 2021, the names of 394 officers killed in the line of duty were added to the memorial. The number reflects 295 officers who died in the line of duty in 2020 as well as 99 officers who died previously.

The tour normally takes place during Police Week in May but was postponed due to the pandemic.

Thursday, wreaths honoring the fallen MCSO Sheriff’s Deputies were placed at the memorial.