Milwaukee police officers head east for national bike ride honoring those lost in line of duty

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee officers are heading east to take part in a national bike ride honoring officers who have died in the line of duty. 

Thirty bikes were loaded onto a trailer Monday morning. The bikes and their riders are on their way to Philadelphia where 30 officers from Wisconsin will join other departments in a ride all the way to Washington, D.C. 

Officers tell us it's a meaningful event to honor their fallen comrades. 

"It's very personal, obviously, it's a personal thing. We've had numerous Milwaukee police officers killed in the line of duty, so it's great representation and a great way to honor them," said MPD Sergeant Jim Sommer. 

The ride kicks off this Thursday and it will finish on Sunday evening with a welcoming ceremony in D.C. at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.