U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Press Release

June 07, 2006

Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. (C.O.P.S.), Illinois Chapter, will be participating in the annual Ride Across Illinois June 8-11, 2006. C.O.P.S. is a charitable organization that provides resources to assist surviving families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, with rebuilding their lives. C.O.P.S. also promotes public awareness of the need to support the law enforcement profession, and its survivors.

The bicyclists, made up of law enforcement officers from across the State of Illinois, will begin their ride in Quincy, Illinois on June 08, 2006, stopping throughout the State at the agencies who have lost a law enforcement officer in the line of duty. The riders are scheduled to arrive at the Springfield FBI office, 900 Linton Avenue, Springfield, Illinois, at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 08, 2006. The Springfield Division of the FBI lost Special Agent Robert R. Hardesty last year in a SWAT training accident.

From Springfield, the C.O.P.S. riders will continue on their journey, ending at Lake Michigan on June 11, 2006, after covering approximately 400 miles.

While at the Springfield FBI office, C.O.P.S. will honor the sacrifice of Special Agent Rob Hardesty, together with Rob’s wife and children. The employees of the Springfield FBI office will be hosting a cook-out to feed the riders after their long day on the road.

Media note:

Members of the media are invited to cover this event. The bicyclists anticipate arriving at the FBI office on Thursday, between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Media outlets who would like to be present when the riders roll up to the FBI office may contact Media Coordinator Marshall Stone (217-522-9675), who will receive notice approximately 30 minutes before the actual arrival of the bicyclists.