BOSTON, MA (WBZ-AM)--350 cyclists took part in this year's 6th annual "Ride To Remember" honoring the Baystate's fallen police and firefighters, raising over $90,000. The 106 mile race began at the MGM Grand Casino in Springfield and ended on Beacon Hill in Boston.
This year’s “Ride to Remember” was dedicated to police officers Sean Gannon of Yarmouth and Michael Chesna of Weymouth. Both men were gunned down in 2018, just months apart. Also honored was Montgomery Fire Chief Stephen Fry who died in a fire in December.
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker greeted cyclists at the State House finish line to say thank you. The Governor emphasized just how dangerous first responders jobs can be saying “I don’t have to do traffic stops. I don’t have to respond to a domestic disturbance. I don’t have to open a door with no idea with what will be on the other side of it. Those folks in blue – they do it every day.”
The money raised from the race will be used to build and maintain memorials to honor the fallen.