Published September 10. 2020 02:45PM
The Jim Thorpers’ bicycle team, under the auspices of Families Behind the Badge, was created by Mike Dugan a decade ago to pay tribute to the families of first responders who died while in the line of duty.
Each year nearly 3,000 riders, including about 150 Jim Thorpers, pedal their bikes 65 miles from Philadelphia to Atlantic City as part of the Families Behind the Badge Ben to the Shore. Along the way, traffic is detoured, and snacks and liquids are offered to the riders. Last year the Thorpers raised more than $70,000, from which 10% was donated back to local charities.
Chip Burnett, a retired Philadelphia police officer after serving 30 years on the force, created the idea for Challenge Coins a year ago. The coins are sent to families of first responders across America. “We write letters of condolence to the families and we include a coin that has an image of our Jim Thorper team on one side and the words, “Never forgotten,” and “Rest in peace” on the other,” Burnett said.
“So far we’ve sent the letters and about 175 Challenge Coins to police chiefs who will then get them out to the families.” In 2020, Burnett has sent 70 letters and 80 coins.
Due to the coronavirus, this year’s trek to AC had to be done virtually, which Burnett said had not nearly the significant effect of the annual live event.
“On top of the virtual ride which certainly can’t do what we actually do, I have to say I’m also disappointed by the lack of support our police are getting from community leaders, especially in the big cities,” he said.
Burnett explained that mostly everyone who lives in high crime areas are grateful for having the police, but sometimes elected officials will criticize law enforcement if it means they’ll get voter approval.
“The squeaky wheel gets the grease,” he said, and Burnett wasn’t referring to the wheels on the bicycles of his team. He is concerned that the recent negative news media portrayal of police officers that’s caused high tensions may result in more deaths of the law officers as well as members from protesting communities.
Burnett reiterated that the general population can’t understand that a police officer engaged in a standoff with a gunman has a split second to determine if someone lives or dies. It’s a matter of self-defense or protecting innocent people who may be in harm’s way.
“Of course, there are bad cops just like there are bad doctors and bad politicians,” he said.
In large cities where rampant drug-related crime runs through the streets and many people live in poverty, the residents often fear retribution if they show support for the police.
“I feel sorry for these poor people who support us. They have 2- and 3-year-old children that sometimes are killed in the line of fire.”
While the Jim Thorpers had to kickstand their bicycles this year and couldn’t do their ride for the Families Behind the Badge, Burnett said that all we can do now is pray that the violence stops so he and his team won’t have a significant increase in the numbers of letters and Challenge Coins that will have to be sent to grieving families.
The matter is very personal to Burnett. “My son’s a detective in Philly and my nephew’s a cop,” he said. “I worry about them all the time.”
The Jim Thorpers will continue their mission to raise money for the cause. On Saturday they will sponsor a duck derby at the Jim Thorpe Sportsman’s Club. For a donation, people can have a plastic duck in their name float down the Mauch Chunk Creek for a chance to win prizes and money. Tickets for the derby can be purchased at the House of Jerky in Jim Thorpe.
Chip Burnett holds a thank-you note from the family of police officer Tara O'Sullivan. O'Sullivan was killed in the line of duty in June 2019 after serving just six months with the Sacramento Police Department in California. BOB FORD/TIMES NEWS
Some of the thank-you notes and cards sit on a coffee table at Chip Burnett's house. BOB FORD/TIMES NEWS
September 11, 2020 at 01:50AM
https://www.tnonline.com/20200910/thorpers-send-challenge-coins-when-first-responders-die/
Thorpers send Challenge Coins when first responders die – Times News Online - tnonline.com
https://news.google.com/search?q=Send&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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