After months of training and preparation Lassen County Sheriff Dean Growdon travelled to the eastern seaboard this weekend to participate in the Police Unity Tour, raising funds for the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial and honoring the service of all those in law enforcement and especially those who have died in the line of duty.
“This year is the 20th anniversary of the slaying of Lassen County Deputy Larry Griffith and the 100th anniversary of the slaying of Lassen County Deputy Raymond Bogart,” explains Growdon. “I have chosen to participate in this ride to honor them, the men and women who serve in law enforcement in Lassen County, and across the country.”
The Police Unity Ride includes a three-day 225-mile trek which began Sunday and will end at today at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C.
The purpose of the event is to raise awareness about those officers who have died in the line of duty and to raise money for the memorial.
Sheriff Growdon’s project received financial support from service groups and agencies throughout the county. Sponsors for the ride include:
- Lassen County Peace Officer Association
- Lassen County Deputy Sheriff Association
- High Desert State Prison
- California Correctional Center
- CHP 140 squad club
- Susanville Police Officer’s Association
- Rotary Club of Susanville
- Susanville Volunteer Firefighters
- Lassen County Fire Chief’s Association
- Lassen County Probation Employees
- Individuals from the community and members of Larry Griffith’s Family
Growdon’s training regimen, with only a few months to prepare for the grueling event, included workouts on both his road bike and mountain bike. Halfway through training Growdon noted on Facebook, “Friday I did 70 miles on my road bike. It took 4 hours and 20 minutes but it went well. I took Saturday off, then went out to mountain bike in the snow today. I only have a month left.”
The first task Growdon had to take on when he arrived in New Jersey was putting his bike back together. The bike had been shipped by UPS ahead of time and had to be reassembled and fine tuned before the ride began.
We’ll let Sheriff Growdon’s photos tell the story of his first two days on the road.
