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Cyclists make "Ride to Remember" from Springfield to State House

Cyclists made a trip from western Massachusetts to the State House to honor fallen police officers and firefighters for the sixth year in a row.

The annual "Ride to Remember" raises money for the Massachusetts Fallen Police Officers and Fallen Firefighters Memorials at the State House, where the ride ends each year.

First responders from across the state and their supporters traveled from Springfield to Boston to honor the ones they lost, with more than 400 cyclists participating.

"All these people know that they never want to forget these heroes that grace the monument at the State House," Springfield Police Sergeant John Delaney said.

Since the last ride in 2017, the state has lost two more police officers in the line of duty, after the deaths of Yarmouth Police Sergeant Sean Gannon and Weymouth Police Sergeant Michael Chesna.

Gov. Charlie Baker was there to reflect once the race finished up.

“As I watched you come around the corner, I think about the race and what it stands for and what it represents," Baker said. "I’m 61 years old and I’ve been in plenty of places where I’ve seen joy and pain in my life, and it reminded me yet again of just how deep and permanent the sacrifice that is made by the families who protect and serve and those who put on that uniform."

Among those cheering on riders were the widows of Alain Beauregard, a Springfield Police officer killed in the line of duty in 1985, and Kevin Ambrose, who was killed in Springfield in 2012 while responding to a domestic disturbance.

"Knowing that they are not forgotten, the sacrifice that they did for us and they’re honored today,"  Doris Beauregard-Shecrallah, widow of Alain Beauregard, said. "So many beautiful people riding their bikes from Springfield to Boston, that’s a lot of work.”

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Organizers hope the number of riders continues to grow, but hopes the names on the memorial remain the same.

"I hope to see you all again next year, but I hope we don't ride for any fallen officers in the next year, that it's just a fun ride," Delaney said.

The ride took more than 10 hours, with people lining the streets in many communities while stops were made at other police memorials on the way.