10th ANNUAL LT. CLIFF ROUSE MEMORIAL RIDE-
A few days before Christmas on December 23, 2010, Don Cheek, who was the Dougherty County, Georgia, Chief of Police, received the call that no chief wants to hear. One of his officers, Lt. Cliff Rouse, had been killed in a shootout while responding to an armed robbery.
“It was one of the worst news of my life,” said Chief Cheek.
The following year, a group of supporters for the family initiated the first Lt. Cliff Rouse Memorial Ride in honor of Cliff. Lt. Rouse was known for his willingness to assist others, who numerous times gave his time and occasionally his day off to escort motorcycle events and charity rides; 4 to 5000 riders from all over the State and surrounding States came to pay tribute to Cliff and his family at this first run in 2011.
What started as a tribute to a fallen officer has continued and turned into an annual event each year. Initially, it was to raise money for the Rouse family. Now the ride has extended to raising money for Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS), a national organization that responds to the needs of the families of fallen law enforcement officers. “COPS was the first group that responded to give the family both emotional and financial support,” said Don, now retired.
The Rouse Ride donations and auction had grown significantly and has raised more money than any other local motorcycle event. In 2015, a new policy was initiated by the Committee members to release some of the money to assist the families of Georgia fallen officers. Money raised is presented not only to the Georgia COPS foundation but to the families of fallen officers killed each year in the line of duty in Georgia. Members of the Georgia Blue Knights III and American Legion Riders ride throughout the State and personally present the families’ monetary and honorarium presentations. That is a story of emotion in itself.
The Lt. Cliff Rouse Memorial Ride not only remembers the sacrifice of Cliff and his family, the COPS foundation, but also the memory of all Georgia officers killed in the line of duty.
The 10th Anniversary will ride from the American Legion Post 30 at 2916 Gillionville Rd. on March 21, 2020, with registration at 9 AM. There will be food, music, 50/50 and an auction, with a raffle for a commemorative 1st and 10th Anniversary AR-15 as well as a .380 pistol. More info can be found email: alpost30@mediacommbb.net and Facebook: Lt. Cliff Rouse Memorial Ride.
Paul “Gadget” Murray
10th ANNUAL LT. CLIFF ROUSE MEMORIAL RIDE
Albany, GA. March 21, 2020, from the American Legion Post 30
2916 Gillionville Rd. Registration 9 AM.