Back the Blue Bike Tour Is Joined by Black Rifle Coffee Company
Thursday morning, the second annual Back the Blue Bike Tour started at the US Capitol and ended at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. As part of the National Police Week events, the bike ride was led by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. McCarthy was joined by other members of Congress as well as United States Capitol Police officers for a bicycle ride through Washington.
“To all of our police officers, thank you for all that you do, and thank you for being there for us,” McCarthy said.
Photo by Michael Garcia/Black Rifle Coffee Company.
As the bicycle ride ended, the participants were met by other members of Congress, additional law enforcement officers, and Black Rifle Coffee Company staff. In addition to breakfast and coffee, a wreath-laying at the memorial occurred prior to McCarthy’s press conference.
“Police week means so much to all of us,” Marcia Ferranto, CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, said. “To some of us it means mourning, mourning the 619 names that we just engraved on the [memorial] wall; and for others, it’s a week of honor, honoring the 23,229 names engraved on this memorial wall; and for others, it means celebration, a celebration of an incredible profession, the profession of law enforcement.”
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial was dedicated in 1991 and honors officers who have died in the line of duty, dating back to 1786. This memorial is one of the few in the District of Columbia to be updated annually.
Photo by Michael Garcia/Black Rifle Coffee Company.
“I want to say a special thank you to Black Rifle Coffee Company,” McCarthy said, pointing out the company’s Thin Blue Line coffee, for which some of the proceeds go to support law enforcement officers and their families.
Photo by Michael Garcia/Black Rifle Coffee Company.
“We should all be showing our gratitude for those who protect our communities each and every day — not just during National Police Week,” McCarthy said. “Especially when you think about the sacrifice that our law enforcement officers — and their loved ones — make to keep our communities safe.”
National Police Week occurs every May; this year’s observances take place May 11-17, with a number of live, in-person events, including a candlelight vigil on Friday, May 13.