PLAINFIELD, Ind. — Dozens of cyclists hit the pavement Saturday for a special event to honor and remember Indiana law enforcement officers who've given the ultimate sacrifice.
The one-day ride, held at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Plainfield, is put on every year by the group "Cops Cycling for Survivors." Survivors like Jena Schoffstall lost her son, Aaron, in 2000.
"He was working that day on Nov. 28 and fell over the bridge working an accident. He had just gotten married three months before," said Schoffstall.
Aaron Schoffstall was 24 years old and worked as a correctional officer at the Vigo County Sheriff's Office.
His name and his story, along with 450 other officers who have died in the line of duty, were read aloud by volunteers.
It was an emotional time for many, including the Tebbe family.
"All of sudden, we lost Jake, and it made it more of a special ride," said Deputy Matt Tebbe with the Tipton County Sheriff's Office.
Tebbe lost his friend and colleague, Deputy Sheriff Jacob Calvin, in 2014.
The Tebbe family joined the cause to help provide financial and emotional support to survivors.
"We visit with all the families every year to keep the memory alive, and this family would be here to support us if we ever needed it," said Tami Tebbe. "It gives us a reason to ride, and it gives us a reason to keep pushing ourselves because the officers can't quit when they're on duty, so when we're out, we don't quit either."
For Jena Schoffstall, she'll continue coming to as many events like this as she can.
"I do appreciate it so much that they take the time, and they don't forget," said Schoffstall.
Four officers have died in the line of duty in 2021. They include:
- Detective Greg Ferency of the Terre Haute Police Department
- Sgt. Thomas Sawyer of the Hammond Police Department
- Reserve Deputy Sheriff James Driver of the Monroe County Sheriff's Office
- Lt. Eugene Lasco from the Indiana Department of Corrections