Kilcullen Memorial Ride: 'One more way for him to give back'
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EUGENE, Ore. -- Hundreds of motorcyclists went on a 248-mile Sunday ride through Oregon to honor the fallen Eugene Police Officer Chris Kilcullen.
This is the second year for the Chris Kilcullen Memorial Ride, a tour that raises money for the Kilcullen Scholarship Fund. It also gives family, friends and co-workers a chance to honor the first fallen brother in blue that has been killed in the line of duty in decades.
"Today we are going to make a 248 mile loop in honor of Chris's badge number ... 248." said Brian Antone, an organizer for the memorial ride.
Among those riding today was Doug Ledbetter, who worked on the same traffic team as Chris Kilcullen.
"He was the kindest person that I've ever met ... I can honestly say that." said Ledbetter. "We miss Chris and he's here with us on this ride."
Riders from all over the state showed up at the European Motorcycles of Western Oregon location on west 11th Sunday morning. The time before the ride gave friends and family a chance to share the impact Chris Kilcullen's life had on them.
"I don't think a lot of civilians appreciate what the police officers do ... and how easily they can be gone." said Teresa Krause, a motorcyclist who came all the way from Lincoln City to pay tribute to Kilcullen.
Organizers reported that over 300 bikers attended this year's ride that started in west Eugene, traveled through Junction City, Corvallis and Newport to finish with a barbecue at Three Rivers Casino in Florence.
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It is good to know that the revenue cops are the kindest people you could meet, as for myself, I never respected these parasites or the institutions that employ them. Poor job performance got Kilcullen killed, these events are monuments to police stupidity, so, is the intent of this event to remind everyone of Chris's lethal incompetence? Seems kind of heartless to me, I do not need an annual event to remind me, his grave stone is a sufficient reminder.
Only in a police state are the uniformed thugs glorified.