Cleveland Streets Fill with Motorcycles as Police Community Honors Fallen in 18th Annual Cop Ride
CLEVELAND, Ohio — About 500 motorcycles were registered in downtown Cleveland on Sunday, Sept. 13, for the 18th annual Cops Ride, bringing law enforcement officers, retirees, motorcycle groups and supporters together to honor four Ohio officers who died in the line of duty and to support the families they left behind.
"It's a brotherhood. It's a camaraderie. We're here to support all those that gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty," Rick, a retired Solon police officer who served for 30 years, told Cleveland 13's Bonnie Swirsky.
Swirsky reported from the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial at West Third Street and Lakeside Avenue as motorcycles gathered before the police-escorted procession. Her on-scene estimate of approximately 500 registered motorcycles put participation at or near the maximum allowed by the city for this year's event.
An official notice issued Sept. 9 said organizers initially expected about 400 motorcycles to stage along Lakeside Avenue and West Third Street. Separate event information said Cleveland was limiting the 2026 ride to 500 motorcycles.
Motorcycles staged from 8:30 to about 10:15 a.m., with the memorial ceremony beginning at 10:30 a.m. Monica Robins served as master of ceremonies and sang the national anthem, while Cleveland Safety Forces Chaplain Father Doug Brown delivered the invocation. Swirsky reported from the memorial as participants gathered following the anthem and blessing.
Organizers also planned to recognize the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks during the ceremony.
The 2026 ride specifically honored four Ohio law enforcement officers whose end of watch occurred in 2025. Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Nicholas P. Cayton, Lorain police Officer Phillip C. Wagner, Morrow County Deputy Sheriff Daniel Weston Sherrer and Hamilton County Special Deputy Sheriff Larry Henderson Jr.
Cayton, 40, was a 13-year veteran of the Ohio State Highway Patrol and an Ohio Army National Guard veteran. He was killed Oct. 16, 2025, while working inside his marked patrol cruiser on state Route 11 in Mahoning County. Cayton had stopped to assist a disabled commercial vehicle when another commercial vehicle struck his cruiser from behind.
Wagner, 35, died July 24, 2025, one day after he and another Lorain police officer were ambushed while sitting in a patrol vehicle during a lunch break. A third officer who responded was also wounded. Wagner was a Marine Corps veteran who had served with the Lorain Police Department since 2022 after previously working for the Sheffield Village Police Department.
The Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial Society later announced that Wagner was among the officers whose names were added to its memorial walls during Police Week in 2026. The society said its memorial recognizes 198 fallen officers.
Sherrer, 31, was killed May 26, 2025, while responding to a domestic violence dispute in Morrow County. He had served with the Morrow County Sheriff's Office for four years.
Henderson, 57, died May 2, 2025, after being struck by a vehicle while directing traffic near the University of Cincinnati during commencement activities. He had served 33 years with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office before retiring in December 2024 and later returning as a special-duty deputy. Henderson was also a Marine Corps veteran.
The police-escorted memorial procession was scheduled to leave downtown Cleveland at 11 a.m. and arrive at South East Harley-Davidson in Bedford Heights at about 12:15 p.m. South East Harley-Davidson served as the host and sponsor of the 2026 ride.
The dealership's September event calendar also listed the Cops Ride for Sept. 13. South East Harley-Davidson is located at 23105 Aurora Road in Bedford Heights.
Swirsky said riders would gather at the dealership following the procession for food and the conclusion of the day's activities.
Registration was $30 per person. Organizers said net proceeds would be donated to the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial and Ohio C.O.P.S., the Ohio chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors.
Ohio C.O.P.S. provides resources and peer support to families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. The organization serves survivors across Ohio, including spouses, children, parents, siblings, significant others and affected co-workers.
The Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial Society works to honor fallen officers while providing emotional and practical support to their families. Its service area includes Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, Geauga and Medina counties and northern Summit County.
Rick attended Sunday's event with Blue Knights Ohio Chapter XII.
"More people have to appreciate what police officers do, and hopefully in the future that will be realized," Rick said. "But yeah, this means everything to us and the surviving families and the departments that lost their brother, and just to mention a few."
The Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club describes itself as a nonprofit fraternal organization made up of active and retired law enforcement officers who share an interest in motorcycles. The organization has about 600 chapters and 15,000 members across 34 countries and territories.
Jerry, president of Blue Knights Ohio Chapter XII, told Cleveland 13 he retired from the Highland Hills Police Department after 35 years.
"Community support for the fallen officers' families. We're supporting the people who didn't get to come home at the end of their shift," Jerry said. "And we'll never forget. We never will. And we'll be here. This is our 18th year doing this. And hopefully we'll get another 20 in."
Jerry said members of the Blue Knights include active and retired law enforcement officers who participate in charity and support efforts while sharing an interest in motorcycles.
"Blue Knights, we're a bunch of active and retired law enforcement officers that do charity work, support, and are all motorcycle enthusiasts," he said.
The Blue Knights have participated in the Cops Ride throughout the event's 18-year history, according to Jerry.
Heather, a road captain with the Cleveland Chapter Harley Owners Group, was also helping direct and park motorcycles as riders arrived. She told Cleveland 13 she had not previously participated in the Cops Ride itself but would be willing to do so in the future.
The Cleveland Chapter H.O.G. was established in 1986 and is sponsored by South East Harley-Davidson. The chapter says it has participated in charitable work throughout Northeast Ohio and has helped raise more than $300,000 for organizations and community causes over the years.
Sunday's turnout continued a tradition that has brought hundreds of motorcyclists to Cleveland in recent years. Cleveland 19 reported that 400 motorcycles participated in the 16th annual ride in 2024 and another 400 motorcycles were registered for the 17th annual event in 2025.
For Rick, the ride represented both law enforcement camaraderie and continued support for families dealing with the loss of an officer.
"This means everything to us and the surviving families and the departments that lost their brother," Rick said.
Jerry said the Blue Knights intend to continue returning for the memorial ride.
"All 18 years, Blue Knights have been here, and we intend to be here as long as they'll have us."
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