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With such songs as “Leader of the Pack” and “Born to be Wild” blaring in the background, about 400 bikers turned out Saturday morning at the Montgomery Regional Hospital for the 1st annual McFarland/Sutphin Memorial Bike Ride and Poker Run.
The ride was organized to honor and help raise money for the families of Montgomery Regional Hospital Security Officer Derrick McFarland and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputy Cpl. Eric Sutphin, who were both killed in the line of duty on Aug. 20 and 21, 2006, respectively, during a manhunt for William Charles Morva, who had escaped custody. “I just felt our duties weren’t done here at Montgomery Regional Hospital,” said event organizer and MRH employee Gerry McGrath. “Both of these families are now fatherless and they have very young children. They’re going to need help for many years.” The bikers started rolling in prior to the 9 a.m. registration time and by 10:30 a.m. close to 400 bikers, if not more, had already registered for the 133 mile ride, which included stops at Roanoke’s Lewis Gale Hospital, Floyd Exxon and Pulaski Community Hospital, before finishing at Montgomery Regional Hospital. “We are up here to support the cause,” said Campbell County Sheriff Terry Gaddy, who brought several members of the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club with him. “We have representatives from just about every law enforcement agency in Central Virginia here with us today. This was a terrible tragedy that happen up here and we don’t want to see it happen again.” In addition to several different law enforcement agencies from across Virginia riding in the event, there were plenty of bikers who came out to support the victim’s families and to honor them in some way. “We came out with some friends to help support the cause,” said Dublin resident Pauline Muncy, who along with her husband, came out to show their support. “It’s great to see all of these people here honoring such two brave men and their families.” Photos: (Top left) The bikes are ready for the 133 mile ride.(Right) Bikers register for the 1st Annual McFarland/Sutphin Memorial Bike Ride Saturday morning at the Montgomery Regional Hospital. (Bottom left) Montgomery County Sheriff Tommy Whitt, along with Mrs. Sutphin and her two daughters; and Cindy McFarland, wife of Derrick McFarland, observe the activities Saturday that honored their late husbands, who lost their lives in the line of duty last August. (Photos by David Grimes)
See more photos from the 1st Annual McFarland/Sutphin Memorial Bike Ride and Poker Run in our photo gallery.
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