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Paying respects to officers fallen in the line of duty by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 5 | Friday, September 23, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com More than 140 police officers from across Canada cycled into Oakville's Coronation Park, Wednesday (Sept. 21), as part of the Canadian Police Memorial Ride to Remember. The annual bike ride began at 8 a.m. at the Ontario Police College in Aylmer, Ont. It will end 700 kilometres later at the National Police Memorial in Ottawa tomorrow (Saturday). The ride is done in honour of peace officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty and to ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten. Clad in a variety of colourful cycling uniforms and waving as they arrived, the officers entered the park around 3 p.m. for a pitstop. They had already cycled some 150 km to get to Oakville and had another 50 km ahead of them before calling it a day in Toronto. The trip would pick up from there in the morning. "So far, the ride has been excellent," said Const. Matt Baker, Halton police cyclist and member of the newly-created Operational Wellness Unit. "It's been a beautiful day. We're out here for a great cause." The Oakville resident was one of seven Halton police officers who participated in the ride. This group was at the head of the pack, leading police officers from Toronto, Hamilton, Kingston Seven Halton Regional Police officers -- from left, Bill Glennie, Paul Kent, Paul Harrower, Chris Heffernan, Susan Labanich, Kim Kelly, Mark Urie and Team Leader Matt Baker -- were among 140 from across Canada cycling in the Ride to Remember, which pulled into Coronation Park Wednesday (Sept. 21). The annual 700-kilometre ride pays respect to officers who have fallen in the line of duty. | Nikki Wesley/Metroland and beyond, as they arrived in Oakville. While the bulk of participants are from police services in Ontario, Baker said, a least one officer came from as far away as Connecticut to be part of the memorial ride. "It is a great opportunity to get out with all these other wonderful services and build that camaraderie and know we'd have each others' backs, if that time ever did come," said Baker. The Wellness Unit officer noted some of the participants put in a lot of hours on their bikes beforehand to get ready for the 700-km ride. Others contributed their own money for supplies and equipment in preparation for the event. Baker was aided by the fact he has cycled fairly regularly for the last three and a half years. Until recently, he was also a Community Mobilization Officer with the Halton police Bike Unit operating in the Kerr Village area. This will be the second year Baker has participated in the ride. When asked why he continues to participate he said it is important to him to pay his respects to those officers who have died in the line of duty. "It is important to make sure the family members and friends of those officers know they will never be forgotten," he said. "It makes me feel really good to know this happens every year and should the need ever arise for myself or any of my colleagues, it is nice to know the support will be there for our families." During the Saturday ceremony at the National Police Memorial, participants of the Ride to Remember will present a cheque for $15,000, which was raised by the police services. This money will help pay for the upkeep of the memorial and support the families of fallen Canadian peace officers. A $15,000 cheque will also be presented by participants of the separate Run to Remember event. For more information about the Ride to Remember, visit policeridetoremember.com. A STEP BEYOND IN CARE Salima Kassam Reg. Chiropodist · Foot/Arch Pain? · Ingrown Toenails? · Diabetes? · Swollen Ankles? · Corns, Calluses? Do you have: Call for an appointment 905-632-1414 728 Burloak Drive www.footandhealthclinic.com Thinking of Retiring... Someday? Let's Talk. Visit our website to sign up for a free consultation. Peter Watson MBA, CFP, R.F.P., CIM, FCSI Jennifer Watson B.A. 220 Randall Street, Downtown Oakville 905-842-2100 peterwatsoninvestments.com GOLD