LOVELAND, Ohio — The sixth annual Police Unity Tour fundraiser cycled its way into celebrating officers who lost their lives on duty.
The money raised will pay for a three-day trip officers will take to the American Police Hall of Fame in Washington D.C.
This year’s fundraiser honors Clermont County deputy Bill Brewer and Hamilton County deputy Adam McMillian.
“We lost my brother in law, officer Charles McDonald, in June of 2001,” said spin instructor Jen McDonald. “You’re giving time and energy, but really that pales to the sacrifice that these officers give on a regular basis.”
Power Ryde co-owner Casey Hilmer was just 13 years old when she was a victim of a violent stabbing. She said it was the officers in her case that helped in getting her through it, so she jumped at the opportunity to host the fundraiser at Power Ryde in Loveland.
“It never held me back. My first goal was speaking out about what I went through and trying to inspire,” Hilmer said. “To me, police officers, I’ve always supported them. Everything I went through, they were always there for me.”
After six years of fundraising, she said there’s no plans to stop anytime soon.
“To be able to honor two who are from our local community, who people who come to this studio knew personally, I think it just hits so much closer to home,” Hilmer said.
Donations can be made on the Police Unity Tour website.
