MARYLAND—For 13 years, Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri has been riding his bicycle to honor the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and fallen law enforcement officers around the country during the Tour de Force 9/11 Memorial Bike Ride, and this year the ride means a bit more— he is riding for fallen Lake County Sheriff’s Office Master Deputy Bradley Link.
The memorial ride started in 2002 and has since evolved into honoring both the victims of 9/11 and law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.
“This year I’m dedicating my ride to Master Deputy Link, who made the ultimate sacrifice” Capri said. “(The loss of Link) touched everybody in Lake County.”
Participants started their four-day ride Friday and will travel about 180 miles to honor and raise money for the families of law enforcement officers who lost their lives. The route participants ride is not publicly released for safety reasons.
According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 4,723 law enforcement officers have lost their lives since 2001. That figure does not include law enforcement officers who died in 2024.
Capri, an avid bicyclist in his off-time, said he plans on participating in this annual event until he is in his 90s because it is so important to him.
“We honor the memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” Capri told Inside Lake. “We can never forget these heroes.”
Link’s photo will be affixed to Capri’s bicycle for the entire ride through Maryland and Delaware.