Police officers go cross country in honor of their fallen comrades

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Ahead of Police Memorial Week beginning this Sunday, May 11, area police departments are getting ready to honor those who've died serving their community. 

This morning, May 7, at the House of Harley-Davidson, police motorcycles from across southeast Wisconsin were loaded onto a semi-truck enroute to our nation's capitol.

Early next week, officers from our local departments will head out to Washington, D.C. to reunite with their motorcycles as they will take part in an honorary escort for the families of those who have lost an officer in the line of duty. 

"It's just wonderful to see families being supported by their fellow law enforcement officers," said George Papachristou of the Wisconsin Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors. "To be surrounded by love, because it's such a grieving process and it just helps them get through this process to have that love and support around them." 

The honorary escort will take place as families attend a candlelight vigil in Washington, D.C. next Tuesday, May 13.

Participating agencies here in southeast Wisconsin include the Milwaukee Police Department, Madison police, Green Bay police and several more.