A group of bicycle riders cruised into Columbia over the weekend during their travels to honor fallen first responders.
The riders were escorted by numerous emergency services vehicles. There were approximately 40 cyclists and 30 support personnel who were on the final day of their journey.
They made a stop in Columbia to memorialize two fallen firefighters from here before ending their trip in Russell County honoring another Adair County native.
On Saturday, the Kentucky Brotherhood Riders were welcomed at the Columbia-Adair County Fire Department for a memorial stop in recognition of Charles Sparks and Anthony “Tony” Grider. Both firefighters, who died in the line of duty, had also previously been honored for their sacrifice during an event in Campbellsville.
Brent Lile, KBR board member from Campbellsville, spoke at the fire department. He recognized Sparks’ mother and Grider’s family. Lile presented a certificate of appreciation to each agency who assisted them while in Columbia.
The final leg of their 350-mile trek ended in Russell County where they made an honor stop for Deputy Josh Phipps, an Adair County native. Phipps was killed in the line of duty last year while working for the Russell County Sheriff’s Department. Phipps’ family was presented with a plaque to honor his ultimate sacrifice.
Columbia Police Officer Tracy McCarol rode this year for the first time. His wife, Tiara McCarol, is the team nurse and has participated in the event for several years.
“I kind of understood what it was about as far as honoring the fallen people and families, but it’s really a deeper connection than that. All these other guys, you really bond with them and develop a close friendship, bonds of brotherhood with them,” said Tracy.
Tiara said that one of the mottos is, “A person experiences two deaths, when you actually pass away and when your name is last spoken.”
“So we try to memorialize or remember that person so their name lives forever,” added Tracy.
The riders each wear a jersey that has the names of the those they are honoring that year on the back. Each day, at least one member of the group will wear a jersey from a previous year so those names are also seen. Riders from brotherhood organizations in other states also join the Kentucky group and wear their own jerseys to represent their fallen.
Geoffrey McNulty, a founding member and current board member, said, “What we tell the families is that the pain we feel on the bike is temporary. We know it is going to end. The pain that the families feel never goes away. So, we can put up with it for a few days to show the families that they are not forgotten and somebody cares about them.”
An integral part of the ride is the support staff. They are there to help keep the riders safe, to check on them physically, make sure they have food and drinks at each stop, and anything else they may need. The ride would not be possible without the support volunteers.
Tiara has been involved with the ride for six years.
“I get to mingle with the riders and the support staff throughout the day and evening. Hearing how they are feeling out on the bike, the reason they are pushing their limits. It’s really close to my heart because I am also involved with EMS. These are people that I know and have worked with.”
Adair County EMS Director Chad Wheet was asked to be a support staff member for this year’s ride. Wheet joined the group on Thursday night in Shelbyville.
“Several of the support staff travel ahead of the riders to set up bike racks, make sure there are snacks, cold drinks and anything they might need when they reach a stop,” Wheet said.
Wheet said that it was a brotherhood and everyone is one big family with a mission to make sure no fallen first responders are forgotten. He will participate in future rides, he added.
“It is probably one of the best things I have ever been a part of,” said Wheet.
The Kentucky Brotherhood Riders was founded in 2019. There is a total of six Brotherhood organizations nationwide.
The route changes every year based on where the line of duty deaths occur the year before. The riders make every effort to go to the specific counties that have line of duty deaths. If it is not feasible to do so, they will contact the family and invite them to meet them along the route. The families are presented with a unique plaque to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Kentucky Brotherhood Riders fundraise each year. According to McNulty, each rider is asked to raise a minimum of $400. All the money raised is divided evenly among the families of the fallen officers that are honored that year.
Any first responder can participate in the annual ride. Applications are taken beginning in January of each year and close in April. Anyone interested in joining the ride or being a part of the support staff can contact the Kentucky Brotherhood at info@kentuckybrotherhood.org.
By Amy Pike
amy@adairvoice.com
