The Mid-Atlantic Police Motorcycle Rodeo was the "brain child" of Corporal A.D. Johnson, a motorcycle police officer with the Prince George's County Police Department, Prince George's County Maryland. In 1979, the first rodeo was held, to build up the skills and working relationships of the motorcycle officers in the Washington Metropolitan Area. Tragically in 1982, Corporal Johnson was killed in
an on-duty motorcycle accident. Johnson, the organization continues today, heading into its 42nd year of operation. The rodeos have continued throughout the years, through the efforts of many dedicated volunteers--mostly of police officers, but also many civilians, whose help has made it possible. As the rodeo grew, it became apparent that the committee would need to grow as well, to handle the increasing demands placed upon it. Many new agencies became interested in participating, and the committee was asked to assist with establishing other training events in the United States and Canada. The committee was incorporated in 1988 as The Mid-Atlantic Police Motorcycle Riding Committee, Inc. with its emphasis on increasing the "safe" operation of police motorcycles and increasing the skills of individual officers. The Mid-Atlantic Police Motorcycle Riding Committee, Inc. continues to be dedicated to increasing "inter-departmental" communications between police agencies everywhere. It is the desire of the MAPMRC, Inc. to provide better service to the public, not only through encouraging safer motorcycle operation, but also with providing an avenue through which officers would have personal contacts with other officers in various areas, providing an invaluable investigative resource. In 1998, the committee voted to take on COPS (Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc.) as our main charity. In 2013 we adopted the Make A Wish charity. Through our annual police motorcycle training event held each year and with the raffle of a Harley-Davidson Motorcycle, and with the support of other donations, the MAPMRC has been able to donate over $255,000 to COPS and $12,500 to the Make A Wish Foundation. It would not be possible without your support! In the future, the Mid-Atlantic Police Motorcycle Riding Committee, Inc. hopes to continue to grow and to be of service to motorcycle police officers at large, promoting safe riding skills and increased cooperation between agencies. Beginning 2021, the Fairfax County Police Motor Squad took over management of this rodeo, and we are proudly supporting the Special Olympics of Virginia.
