State bike ride for fallen officers makes stop in La Porte

Fallen officers around the state are being honored in a statewide bike ride Friday. The Cops Cycling for Survivors is a 13-day, 1000 mile bike ride across Indiana and raises money for law enforcement causes.

The bike ride started early Monday morning from the state capitol in Indianapolis.

Captain Mike Kellems of the LaPorte County Sheriff's Department says Linda Bixler, the sister of LaPorte County's only fallen officer Neil Thompson, reached out to the department last week. Thompson died in the line of duty in 1980.

Bixler had just learned her brother was honored by the department with a scholarship and memorial on State Road 39. 

Kellems invited Bixler to meet up with the participants at the state capitol in Indianapolis Monday. There she met up with Kellems and Indiana Governor Mike Pence.

The bike ride will make a stop for lunch in La Porte on Friday, courtesy of the sheriff's department. You can see photos of the bike ride on their Facebook page.