Behind the Badge
Members of Westminster Police Department, friends, and family spent a recent Saturday morning energetically pedaling in support of the law enforcement community.
“Today we honor their service and we ride for those that give the ultimate sacrifice,” the indoor cycling instructor, who is married to a Westminster PD Officer, said to her class at the Beatbike indoor cycling fitness studio in Huntington Beach.
Westminster PD Sgt. Bill Drinnnin makes a few remarks before the start of Saturday’s fundraising spin class at Beatbike in Huntington Beach. The money raised goes toward a memorial bike ride in May. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge OC
On this morning, the class is made up of those wishing to support law enforcement through a fundraiser benefitting the annual 630-mile Memorial Ride, which begins May 20 in Sacramento at the California State Capitol and ends at the Westminster PD fallen officer memorial on May 23. A joint event with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the ride raises funds for Project 999 Foundation, which supports Orange County officers injured or killed in the line of duty, and Code 3 Cycling, which is Westminster PD’s memorial foundation supporting fallen and injured officers and their families locally and across the country. Last year’s ride raised $22,000 for Westminster’s memorial foundation.
“Depending on what those families need, that’s what we try to help, and take care of,” said Westminster PD Sgt. Kevin MacCormick, who handles ride logistics and has been riding in the event since 2004. He was also part of the group pedaling to high-energy music during the April 7 indoor cycling fundraiser.
Participants of Saturday’s fundraising spin class at Beatbike in Huntington Beach make their way through an intense session. The money raised goes toward a memorial bike ride in May. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge OC
WPD Sgt. Bill Drinnin, also part of the fundraiser and who serves as ride coordinator, said that just a few weeks ago funds were donated to an Irvine Police Department retired sergeant who was nearly killed in a bicycling accident.
“That’s an example as to why this whole foundation exists,” he said.
The instructor, who helped coordinate the fundraiser at the cycling studio, arranged for vendors to attend the event as well as participate via donated items. Kona Deep donated water to class members, Rebbl donated a case of its drinks for the raffle, The Acai Tribe and DeeVegan Munchies Mexican food donated 10 percent of their sales, barkTHINS donated raffle products, CorePower Yoga donated two unlimited months gift certificates and a yoga mat for the raffle, and Beatbike donated a one-month unlimited gift certificate for the raffle. After the ride, participants were invited to eat at the nearby Eureka! restaurant in Huntington Beach, which also donated a percentage of sales to the fundraiser.
Westminster Police at Beatbike in Huntington Beach for a spin class fundraiser for a memorial bike ride in May. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge OC
The instructor has been helping with fundraisers for the Memorial Ride for the past several years.
“It’s something that I’m personally very passionate about,” she said, adding that not only is her husband an officer who participates in the ride but other family members are also in law enforcement.
Susane Cardenas, general manager of Beatbike Huntington Beach, said the event raised $1,300 from the studio’s donation of that morning’s class fees.
“The Westminster PD Memorial Foundation raises money to support officers injured in the line of duty and their families,” Cardenas said. “Like many professions that serve the community, we understand the government funds may not always be enough and while I can’t speak for the foundation, the reason most people donate to these types of charities and participate in these types of events is to honor the work and sacrifices of our local law enforcement.”
Participants of a fundraising spin class at Beatbike in Huntington Beach pose for a photo in front of the Westminster PD BearCat. The money raised goes toward a memorial bike ride in May. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge OC
WPD Dispatcher Linette McCain participated in the indoor cycling class, which was physically intense and emotional. As she encouraged class members to keep pedaling, the instructor eloquently added comments and showed a video in support of officers.
“It was so touching … I teared up three times,” McCain said.
Heidi MacCormick, who is married to Sgt. Kevin MacCormick, fought back tears as she talked about the importance of supporting the foundation and Memorial Ride.
“God forbid if I ever get put into that situation … I hope I never do,” she said. “I love the fact that this is here.”
