The thrill of the "chase"
by Deputy Chief Rick Concepcion, PCI
#606
Winthrop Harbor PD (IL)
Police bike officers are some the most
highly motivated and competitive police officers in the world. All of the
Winthrop Harbor bike officers must successfully complete the 32-hour IPMBA
Police Cyclist Course before they are allowed to ride. And just about every
Winthrop Harbor bike officer enjoys riding in police cyclist competitions.
Unlike typical races in which competitors "trash-talk" each other before,
during, and after, police bike competitions are a time to gather together
as "brothers and sisters in arms." Participants are united by their shared
experiences as bike cops.
On Saturday, August 24, 2002, fellow Winthrop Harbor bike officers Allen
Grider, Fred Ray, and I participated in the Palatine Police Challenge Bike
Race. There were 13 teams consisting of three officers each. The 2.7 mile
course wound through parking lots, up and down a sledding hill, through a
drainage ditch, over fields, and through grassy areas, sand, and mud. It
was a blast!
But the real story here is not about the beautiful course, the free tee-shirts
and grab bags, or the medals that we did not win. This story is about an
officer who demonstrated the meaning of "going the distance." It is a story
of what a positive attitude, a "never quit" spirit, and a strong degree of
intestinal fortitude can accomplish.
On the morning of the big day, we were informed by Officer Ray's wife that
he had been sick for the past four days. In her opinion, he had no business
riding, but of course he insisted. So we unloaded our bikes and got them
ready to ride. While the rest of us were lubing our chains and moving parts,
Fred was walking around the parking lot with his hand clasped tightly over
his mouth. His stomach was retching in that unmistakable motion that means
you are about to throw up. Fred is a pale guy at his healthiest, and today
he was much paler than usual. But when asked, "do you still want to do this?,"
his reply was an unhesitating, "ABSOLUTELY!"
I was the "point man" for our team, so I started with the first group. I
came in a respectable fifth out of 13 riders, and as soon as I crossed the
finish line, I heard the start official yell, "WINTHROP HARBOR." Fred was
the second rider in the relay race, and he took off from the starting line.
Soon the riders from the second group began finishing and the third and final
riders took off. But there was no sign of Fred. Officer Grider sat astride
his bike, waiting to start his leg of the relay. He peered down the street,
anticipating the sight of his teammate pedaling towards the finish, but still
no Fred. By this time we were pretty worried, so I made my way over to one
of the course officials to see if anything had happened. I heard a radio
transmission that sent bolts of electricity and pride running up and down
my spine. It went something like this, "…An officer from Winthrop Harbor
just made it up the hill. He has a lot of medical problems but HE INSISTS
on continuing!" I jumped about three feet into the air, raised my fist in
a victory salute, and yelled, "OH HELL YEAH! THAT'S MY MAN FRED!" A guy from
another agency turned to me and said, "damn, Ricky! Your guy has a lot of
guts!"
Most people wouldn't think that finishing dead last would be a cause for
celebration, but this wasn't about our place in the standings. It was a a
salute to the courage and determination of Officer Ray and his "no quit"
attitude.
After the race we all reported in at the awards tent to listen to the results.
As the official read off the names of the agencies and how their respective
teams finished, everyone clapped. But when Winthrop Harbor Police Department
was announced as finishing dead last, I threw up a hearty cheer and began
"high-fiving" everyone around me. Many people, some I didn't even know,
"high-fived" me in return. Then I heard the applause. I found out later that
word had spread about Fred's Herculean efforts. He was being saluted for
his performance in the field.
I can't remember a time in my competitive life when I was proud to be part
of the last place team, but on this day I was so very proud of our team and
its perseverance. And I was proud to share the brother and sisterhood of
my fellow bike officers from around the state. We saw old friends, caught
each other up on the latest news, laughed, hugged, shook hands, and experienced
a feeling of togetherness that most people will never understand. And justice
prevailed. We may have finished last, but we went home with a brand-new Fuji
police mountain bike, donated by our good friends at CopPedalers.
Rick can be reached at
sgtrickc@yahoo.com. For information
about the annual Waukegan Cop-etition, contact Officer McGurn, 847-599-2585
or magoosx2@aol.com.
© 2003 IPMBA. This article first appeared in the Winter 2003 issue of
IPMBA News. |
