Memorial Ride for Randy

LAPD Memorial Ride for Randy Simmons

• Date: February 16, 2008
• Distance: Almost 51 miles

When I learned about a memorial ride planned for fallen LAPD SWAT officer Randal Simmons, I immediately knew I wanted to join. The Police Unity Tour Southern California Chapter announced that their regular training ride on February 16, 2008 would be a “Memorial Ride for Randy”. Having never ridden in a group before, and never further than 30 miles, we wondered if we could do it. But my friends in the Fifty Plus forum at Bike Forums assured me that we could. With no time to train, we made the decision to ride for Randy just a few days later.

We met the other riders at the track at the Los Angeles Police Academy where we got our route slips and instructions. We guessed there were about 250 riders.

Shortly after our early arrival at the Los Angeles Police Academy.

New police cadets in training on the field at the Los Angeles Police Academy. Lord, please protect them!

Ready and waiting to roll…. this is where we got our instructions and route slips. LAPD motor officers led the way out the gates of the field, along Academy Drive, and down Stadium Way to Riverside Drive.

The entire ride was escorted by LAPD motor officers. About a half dozen of them rode with us, a few in the front to keep the pace and a few others who took turns stopping traffic at every intersection and keeping the stragglers in line. People honked, waved, and cheered from cars, corners, curbside and over the fence in front of their homes. What a joy it was to ride 50 miles from beginning to end without having to make a single traffic stop.

Our first rest stop after about 19 miles was at the Van Nuys Station and Government Plaza.

The flag was still at half staff in front of the Van Nuys Station.

Jim (in green jacket) and Tom who is also a member of Bike Forums. In the background are some members of the LAPD cycling police, who rode with the group.

There I am, on the right, preparing to eat my food bar.

One of the motor officers who escorted the group (and more in the background), and some of the members of the LAPD Bicycle Patrol who participated in the ride. There is nothing like riding 50 miles through the city, in traffic, while surrounded by police officers in uniform!

Our next stop was at the West Valley station for the wreath dedication ceremony for Randy. Speakers included the station commander, a city official, a pastor, and the team leader. It was a somber but very nice tribute to Randy.

Reserve Officers were ready and waiting on horseback in the adjacent park to guard our bikes while we viewed the ceremony. Snacks and drinks were served inside after the ceremony.

There’s Jim again (on the right) wearing his 50+ Bike Forum jersey, and Tom.

Some of the members of the LAPD Bicycle Patrol who rode with us, and their bikes.

On the route back, I had the immense pleasure of riding with Sgt. Brian Morrison for a short distance. Brian is one of the captains of the LAPD Cycling Team. Periodically he and some of the other team members would circle around to check on the riders near the back. He pulled along side of me and asked me how I was doing and how I learned about the ride. I told him about my dad (LAPD class of ‘46), and he told me about his (LAPD class of ‘56). Brian works out of the Metropolitan station where Randy Simmons worked.

The last rest stop was at a park about 6 miles from the “big hill” at the end of the ride. The park is across the street from Forrest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills). This is where the SAG (support) wagons joined us for the ride back, just in case any of the riders had to drop out.

The hill at the end….. well, it wasn’t pretty and I knew what it would be like based the many countless times I’ve driven up that hill in my car to Dodger Stadium. The Academy is located in a beautiful setting at the top, just a left turn away from the entrance to the Stadium. Afterward, we visited with Tom and Alice (also members of Bike Forums) who rode with us much of the way. I ran into Brian Morrison who gave me some riding caps which say “LAPD Cycling Team”.

Back at the Academy parking lot with Alice and Tom. Whew – we made it!

Jim ‘n Jen, after we caught our breath from our ride up the hill.

It was an unforgettable day in every way, and a wonderful tribute to Randy Simmons.