ELLETTSVILLE — As the nation prepares to observe National Peace Officers Memorial Day, the Indiana-based nonprofit Cops Cycling for Survivors has announced its 25th annual bicycle tour. The 13-day, nearly 1,000-mile trek across the Hoosier State will kick off this July, serving as both a grueling physical challenge and a “rolling memorial” for Indiana’s fallen heroes.
At the heart of the tour is the organization’s support truck, which accompanies the cyclists through every community. The vehicle was recently unveiled with updated memorial photos, a tradition that holds deep emotional weight for the families left behind.
For many survivors, the truck is considered “hallowed ground.” It displays the portraits of recently fallen officers alongside the anniversary dates of those who died years prior. It is common to see family members and former colleagues placing their hands on the photos or sharing quiet messages with the images of their loved ones during the tour’s various stops.
Honoring New Heroes
The 2026 tour will pay special tribute to two officers whose lives were lost in the line of duty in 2025:
Reserve Deputy Sheriff John C. Stahl III (Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office) – End of Watch: June 8, 2025.
Corporal Blake Adair Reynolds (Delaware County Sheriff’s Office) – End of Watch: November 12, 2025
Their portraits have been added to the memorial truck with the same reverence afforded to the more than 500 Indiana officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice since the state’s founding.
Founded in 2002, the organization has evolved from a single inaugural ride to Washington, D.C., into a statewide pillar of support. Beyond the act of remembrance, Cops Cycling for Survivors operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides critical financial and emotional aid, including:
- Line-of-duty death benefits and scholarships.
- Youth camps for children of fallen officers.
- Legal advocacy, assisting families through the complexities of appeals and parole hearings.
The 2026 Route
The tour begins in Indianapolis and winds through nearly every corner of the state before concluding at the historic Crown Hill Cemetery.
| Date | Route Segment | Date | Route Segment |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 6 | Indy to Richmond | July 13 | Terre Haute to Princeton |
| July 7 | Richmond to Bluffton | July 14 | Princeton to Jasper |
| July 8 | Bluffton to Angola | July 15 | Jasper to Jeffersonville |
| July 9 | Angola to Mishawaka | July 16 | Jeffersonville to Madison |
| July 10 | Mishawaka to Merrillville | July 17 | Madison to Bloomington |
| July 11 | Merrillville to Kentland | July 18 | Bloomington to Indianapolis |
| July 12 | Kentland to Terre Haute |
How to Get Involved
The organization is actively seeking cyclists for the 2026 ride. Participants include survivors, active and retired law enforcement, and community advocates. Residents along the route are encouraged to line the streets and show their support as the pack passes through.
Contact Information:
- Mail: PO Box 597, Ellettsville, IN 47429
- Phone: 812-727-0725
- Web: www.copscycling4survivors.org
As the riders prepare for the July heat, the mission remains clear: ensuring that no Indiana officer’s sacrifice is ever forgotten and that no survivor walks their journey alone.
