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“City of Heroes Memorial Run”
Phoenix—For the second year in a row, hundreds of Valley
motorcycle riders, including many local celebrities and dignitaries, are coming together to honor Valley heroes
in the “City of Heroes Memorial Run” on Saturday, January 4, 2003. The inaugural event, in December of 2001, had
approximately one-thousand participants and the number is expected to double this time around.
The 50-mile escorted ride will originate from Childress Automall (23rd Ave. and Camelback), at 10:15 AM, and proceed
to the 2003 International Auto Show at the Phoenix Plaza (255 E. Adams). The charity event benefits “The City of
Heroes Fund” and the “100 Club” for families of fallen law enforcement officers and firefighters (www.100club.org).
The list of Valley celebrities and dignitaries continues to grow daily with more expected
to join the cause before the day of the ride. “The” Grand Marshall for this parade of motorcycles is to be announced
in the next few days, however, to date, “Honorary” Grand Marshals for this year’s “City of Heroes Memorial Run”
include:
• Scott Passmore, host of 3-TV’s Good Morning Arizona
• W. Steven Martin, well known valley radio personality
• “Fang,” Goodwill Ambassador and Mascot of the Arizona Rattlers
• Chief Doug Bartosh, Scottsdale Police Department
• Director Mike Branham, Arizona Criminal Justice Commission
• Chief Investigator Tom Clinkenbeard, ADOT Office of Special Investigations
• Director Dennis Garrett, Department of Public Safety
• Division Chief Terry Garrison, Phoenix FIRE Department
• Assistant Chief Jack Harris, Phoenix Police Department
• Jake Jacobsen, President of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association
• Director Mike Longman, Arizona Theft Authority
• Former Director Terry Stewart, Arizona Department of Corrections; and …
• Charles D. Wolford II, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service.
The money from this year’s ride will be used to build a memorial for firefighter Bret Tarver who lost his life
fighting a fire in March of 2001. The memorial will be placed at Bret Tarver Elementary School (4308 N. 51st Avenue).
Dedication ceremonies of the memorial honoring Tarver will take place on September 11, 2003.
The main sponsor of the event this year is Childress Automall. “It is an honor for our company to be a part of
this ride,” said Rusty Childress, Ride Chairman and President of Childress Automall. “We have been moved by the
heroism of so many extraordinary individuals who have given their lives for the community. Bret Tarver was one
of these dedicated individuals. He will never be forgotten. Bikers have been so generous in helping us raise the
money needed to construct these memorial statues.” The other two principal event sponsors are the United Phoenix
Fire Fighters Association and the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (PLEA).
Last year’s inaugural “City of Heroes Memorial Run” raised money to construct a bronze
bust honoring Officer Marc Atkinson. Atkinson was killed in the line of duty on March 26, 1999.
The registration fee for the ride is $20 per person. Bikers can register the day of the motorcycle ride, from 8
to 10 AM, at Childress Automall in Phoenix (23rd Ave. and Camelback). Motorcyclists may also register by mail (PLEA,
2223 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85015), or on-line at: Cyclerides.com. (Checks should be made out to: PLEA)
All participants will receive a free continental breakfast during the pre-event registration and also FREE VIP
Auto Show parking and admission. The first 600 registered participants will receive a T-shirt and a pin.
A "post ride party celebration" will begin at 1:00 PM at Alice Cooperstown. All motorcycle riders and
all makes of motorcycles are welcome. For more information visit www.cyclerides.com or call 1-800 284-2548. A promotional
video featuring Alice Cooper and Bob Kahn, Asst. Chief with the Phoenix Fire Department who knew Bret Tarver very
well, is also available over the Internet on the Cyclerides web site (cyclerides.com). This event will also be
the first motorcycle ride of the year 2003, which commemorates Harley-Davidson’s 100th Year Anniversary.
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