Cycle Across Illinois

09/28/2026

This is another reason we ride.

Grief does not follow a timeline, and no two survivors experience it the same way. Some days bring strength, while others bring memories that make the loss feel as though it happened yesterday.

That is why Illinois C.O.P.S. continues to walk beside our survivors long after the funeral is over.

Throughout the year, survivors have opportunities to attend 14 different C.O.P.S. weekends and retreats, each created to provide connection, understanding, healing, and support alongside others who truly understand the journey. These experiences remind survivors that wherever they are in their grief and however many years have passed, they remain part of the C.O.P.S. family.

There is no deadline for grief. There is no finish line for remembrance. And there is never a time when our survivors should have to walk this road alone.

14 weekends and retreats. One survivor family. A lifetime of support.

Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.)
Illinois Sheriffs' Association
Illinois Police Officers Memorial and Memorial Committee
CIT Illinois - Illinois Law Enforcement Training & Standards Board

09/25/2026

Well look who we have here. Thank you for your service and we are so very proud to call you one of our own.

09/22/2026

Who we are.

09/19/2026

Thank you for keeping us safe. We see you. We hear you. We stand with you.

Today, on Thank a Police Officer Day, IL C.O.P.S. extends our heartfelt appreciation to the men and women who serve and protect our communities every day. 💙

Thank you for your courage, commitment, sacrifice, and service. We are grateful for all you do and for the families who stand behind you.

09/17/2026

Get your swag while you can.

🚔 OPD SWAG IS HERE!
Get your OPD gear and help support families of fallen law enforcement officers.

For the first time, we're offering OPD shirts, hats and headbands for the community. $5 from every item sold will benefit Illinois Chapter, Concerns of Police Survivors (ILCOPS), a nonprofit that provides resources and support to families who have lost a law enforcement officer in the line of duty.

This is your chance to show your support for law enforcement and support a cause that goes far beyond our community. The online store features OPD shirts, hoodies, hats, and headbands, all with “OPD” on the front. Shirt backs are available in two designs. Youth and adult sizes available.

🛍️ ORDER BY: October 6
📦 Orders expected to be completed around October 28

When you place your order, you can choose to:
• Pick up your order at the store
• Have your order shipped directly to your home

This is a limited-time opportunity to grab some OPD gear while helping support families of fallen law enforcement officers.

Shop the OPD Apparel Store: Use the QR Code or go to https://opdswag26.itemorder.com/shop/category/98248/

Thank you for supporting OPD and, most importantly, those who protect and serve.

09/15/2026

William Buck, the man convicted of murdering Rockford Police Detective Kevin Rice, is petitioning for medical release from prison.

We are asking our community and law-enforcement supporters to email Mary Ratliff, Director of Victim and Witness Services, and respectfully request that his petition be denied.

Letters are due Friday, September 18.

📧 [email protected]
William Buck — IDOC

Please include Buck’s name and inmate number in your email. A simple email template is available in the comments below. Please take a few minutes to make your voice heard and share this post.

09/15/2026

Fundraiser for the family of
Chicago Police Officer
John Bartholomew
Sunday September 27th.

09/11/2026

Every mile has a meaning.
Every rider carries a purpose.
Every name has a story that deserves to be remembered.

Cycle Across Illinois is more than a bicycle ride. It is a promise.

We ride to HONOR the law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

We ride to REMEMBER their lives, their service, and the legacies they left behind.

We ride to SUPPORT the surviving families and co-workers whose lives were forever changed by a line-of-duty death.

Across the miles, through the heat, the hills, the wind, and the exhaustion, one thing keeps us moving forward: their memory. We ride so their names continue to be spoken. We ride so their stories continue to be told. We ride so their families know they will never walk this journey alone.

For IL C.O.P.S., Never Forget is more than a phrase, it is a promise we carry with us every day.

Illinois Chapter, Concerns of Police Survivors
Illinois Sheriffs' Association
Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police

09/10/2026

Life changes. We move, phone numbers change, email addresses get updated, and sometimes those changes happen faster than we realize.

At Illinois Concerns of Police Survivors (IL C.O.P.S.), staying connected with our survivors is incredibly important. Whether it’s sharing information about upcoming events, National Police Week, survivor programs, or simply making sure we can continue to be there when you need us, having your current contact information helps us fulfill our mission.

If you’ve recently moved, changed your phone number, updated your email address, or had another change to your contact information, please take a moment to update your information with IL C.O.P.S.

Our promise is to Never Forget, and staying connected with our survivor families is an important part of keeping that promise.

IL C.O.P.S. "Rebuilding shattered lives" and remembering our fallen heroes.

https://concernsofpolicesurvivors.wufoo.com/forms/w1k5ilsf1hhc4dx/

09/08/2026

We have to do more.

Behind every badge is a person. A spouse. A parent. A child. A friend. A coworker.

Police su***de is an issue that cannot be ignored, and no member of the law enforcement family should ever feel they have to carry their struggles alone. Illinois Concerns of Police Survivors is proud to stand alongside several groups in raising awareness, encouraging open conversations, and reminding our brothers and sisters that asking for help is a sign of strength.

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline. Help is available 24/7.

You are not alone. Your life matters. Your story isn’t over.

Together, we can support one another, break the silence, and save lives.