Peddling police honor fallen law officers
By CHRIS BARBEE cbarbee@leader-news.com

POLICEMEN ON MEMORIAL RIDE: These bicycle patrol police officers from San Antonio and Odessa presented the Justin Hurst family with a memorial wreath Thursday evening. On hand to accept were Justin's parents, Pat and Allen. Pictured are (kneeling, l-r) Hank Quiroga and Fernando Guajardo of the SAPD; (standing, l-r) John Purnell of the San Antonio Police Athletic League, Rusty Martin of the Odessa PD, Steven Bazany of the SAPD, the Hursts, Paul Worley, SAPD chaplain, and Christopher Herron of the SAPD. The flag bears the names of the 20 killed officers whose homes they are visiting this week. L-N Photo by Chris Barbee

A small band of police officers clad in matching cycling jerseys and shorts made a stop in El Campo Thursday evening at the home of Justin Hurst, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department game warden killed March 17, 2007 during a shoot-out with a suspected poacher.

The officers represented the Peace Officers' Memorial Foundation - We Remember Memorial Ride, which is sponsored by the Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas. The group left Sunday and will end their some 1,800-mile journey to the homes of 20 law enforcement officers today on the lawn of the Governor's Mansion in Austin.

Justin Hurst

During the day they ride bicycles; at night they travel in a motor home and catch showers and meals ... usually provided by police agencies in towns they stop in ... as they can.

Twenty-two officers were killed in 2007, but two of those have already been remembered at the Police Officers' Memorial in Austin. The Me- morial Ride is in memory of the 20 who will be memorialized in Austin in 2009.

On hand to greet the officers were Pat and Allen Hurst, Justin's parents. His wife, Amanda, had a previous commitment and could not attend.

Six of the police officers are with the San Antonio Police Department. The other is with the Odessa Police Department and provides escort in a marked Odessa PD cruiser.

The group presented the Hurst family a wreath for placement in the flower bed. Officer Paul Worley, an ordained minister and San Antonio PD chaplain, said a few words about the memorial ride, then said a prayer.

"We sign on for this, the family doesn't," he said of the ultimate sacrifice law enforcement officers know they might be called on to make. Ten peace officers have already been killed in the line of duty this year in Texas. Two this past week.

"We go to each county and town to place a memorial to let the communities and families know their loved ones are not forgotten," he said.

According to its mission statement, the Peace Officers' Memorial Foundation is maintained "to perpetuate the memory of law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting the citizens of Texas.

"Since its inception in 1987, the foundation's uncompromising determination to preserve the rich history of Texas law enforcement and provide support for the families of peace officers has remained unparalleled.

"The foundation honors the fallen by providing assistance and support in a line of duty death. The foundation also offers college scholarships, sponsors the biennial Memorial Service at the State Capitol (being held today) and supports research to find and honor all Texas Peace Officers who throughout history have made the ultimate sacrifice."

The Texas Peace Officers' Memorial is located at the intersection of Congress Avenue and 15th Street in Austin. The Hurst family will attend next year's ceremony in Austin.