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As the Fourth of July honors the freedom Americans have, the sacrifices made by those in the armed forces and public services are just as important to remember. On Saturday, the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office was visited by those who honor fallen officers, the motorcycle group End of Watch Ride to Remember. The group tours the country each year, visiting the towns and families of officers who died in the line of duty, and stopped in Bainbridge to honor Captain Justin Bedwell.

“When we arrive it’s just a blessing to be able to talk to the families and let them know that their loved ones are being remembered not just within the state but nationwide and letting the departments know that we’re not going to forget their fallen heroes,” Ride to Remember chairman Jagrut Shah told WALB News.

Captain Brad Lambert was present at the group’s drive through at the sheriff’s office, and spoke with the Post-Searchlight about the event. While some members of the sheriff’s office and BPS couldn’t attend due to a chase, EMS, BPS Chief Redell Walton, a deputy from Leon County, as well as several citizens and Captain Bedwell’s family were all in attendance. “It was very nice for them to come here to honor Justin,” he said.

According to Lambert, there were 608 line-of-duty deaths last year. Ride to Remember visited Bainbridge for about an hour before heading to their next stop in Florida. To Lambert’s knowledge this is their first time visiting Bainbridge, at least in his over 20 years of service. “It was a nice little tribute,” he said. “Of course we’re grateful.”