Cycle Across Illinois 2026
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
CONCERNS OF POLICE SURVIVORS IL ChapterHelp support my fundraising goals for my 5th year riding Cycle Across Illinois!
$935
raised by 17 people
$1,000 goal
in 2 months left
New update
Ahh, today, March 29. We honor the sacrifice and celebrate the life of Brooke.
Her loss really got to me. She was my age when she was killed. 34. Brooke's EOW (end of watch) was yesterday March 28th. This day is usually chaotic and a blur for loved ones, the day after is when the loss really starts to set in.
We all see these men and women shown in their perfect tan uniforms and hat. We see the career they chose in that photo, but we rarely get a chance to peek at the life they lived outside of work hours. Brooke was a rescuer... from dogs to horses and anything in between. She was a daughter, sister, and adored wife. She was a phenomenal athlete, volunteered with Special Olympics and, yes, was a proud trooper who was a badass at her job.
Because Brooke was killed in 2019, she didn't get the honor she would have gotten any other year. COVID stole that. 2019 was not a kind year to the ISP family, though, we always find a way.
My parents knew Robert, Brooke's husband, and did what they could to support him and her family. They rode crazy miles in 2020 with an awesome motley crew of support and other survivors.
I met Robert back in 2020 after he delivered my mom her ridiculous pillow she left somewhere along the ride. The first thing he did was tell my daughter a story about a dog. He then asks her "do you like dogs?"... looking to this tiny 4 year old to reply with a simple "yes" was too much. She paused for an awkward amount of time and answered him "no"... panic! My eyes widen and I'm confused because she really does like dogs and knowing how much animals mean to him and Brooke I'm losing my mind... she continues with all the enthusiasm her little body could exude "I looovvveeee dogs!!" ... whew. That was scary! 🤣
Robert and I have become friends over the years sharing stories, jokes (mostly him making fun of me), and encouragement through life's big and little challenges, and today, we shared some sorrow. He is an incredibly strong man. It's been 7 years. He didn't hesitate at all to laugh at me and my latest tale of adventure or deny my request to share this update about Brooke.
Those of you that have ridden with me often know how Brooke is represented when I ride, and if you didn't, now you will. I usually wear wonder woman socks. I always wear a ww button over an ISP patch on my jersey that I bought in Metropolis. I've had Brooke's EOW sticker on my very expired helmet since I met Robert and stole a bunch of stickers. Her favorite color was purple...
Slow down. Move over. There's a life at the other end.
This ride is so much more than the pictures and miles posted on Strava or Facebook. Each mile pedaled is an opportunity to create new friendships, support groups, have conversations, listen to stories, share tears, and struggles.. they are moments of healing. These miles create connections that would never happen in any other situation. Every stop is a chance to shake a hand, wave and smile, give a hug and learn a little about someone's lost loved one. Each person involved in this ride plays a role in maintaining the mission... which has been so well described as a living, breathing, moving memorial to our fallen heroes.
Of course riding 350+ miles in the heat of July isn't easy, but neither is losing your parent, sibling, friend, or partner. As cyclists we have the opportunity to train our bodies and minds for the challenge ahead - we know our itinerary, where we are going, how many miles - what happens when and our biggest concern is food and wondering if it's going to rain. Unfortunately there is no training ahead of time for grief and sorrow and all the things that come with loss. What this mission provides is a place for people to heal, no matter where they are on their journey. A place for no one to stand alone.
Though I do have a hefty fundraising goal, my real goal is to get people involved. Come to a stop. Make a sign with your kids and cheer for us along the route. Honk (and use the nice fingers to wave us along!) Come meet people that will simply be recharged in your presence. Listen to the stories people have to share and grow your heart for survivors. Help us honor the men and women that gave their lives protecting the community they served, the ones we freely live in.
I showed up to a stop in 2017 to support a couple friends. I never expected to feel the way I did when I drove away... the next day I asked my dad to go with me to the bicycle shop....