We added a third rider to the trip today, Eric P., who is another APD officer. We also have decided to turn this ride into a charity event.

Back in July 2001, APD Officer Justin Wollam was killed by a drunk teen during a pursuit on the Glenn hwy. Initially there was talk of putting up a permanent memorial for Justin and the 3 teens who were also killed at the crash site. There was to be a large boulder with a plaque and a park bench along the bike trail just off the highway. This plan lost momentum when the funding wasn't available. We have decided to make this motorcycle trip a fundraiser/charity event to raise money for the memorial as we were all friends of Justins. I happened to be in the pursuit that somber night and observed the crash.

Our starting point will be Danbury, TX which was Justin's home town. The trip will encompass approximately 5500 miles through the mid-west US on our way back to Alaska. We are hoping to get some local participation from law enforcement agencies as we pass through. It would be pretty amazing to have local PD officers on bikes travel with us for a few miles occasionally.

Putting Justin's name on this ride makes it feel like something we have to do rather than simply want to.