Porterdale police Lt. Jason Cripps and his wife Holly, will host the 4th annual K-9 Memorial Police Benefit Motorcycle Ride tomorrow in Porterdale.The ride will raise money for the purchase of safety equipment for K9 teams/police in Georgia.

"We try to raise awareness that police dogs are important to the fight against crime as well," Holly said.
Holly said she and her husband were inspired to start the motorcycle ride to help families who have lost loved ones in the line of duty.

"We wanted to raise money for families who have sacrificed their loved ones," Holly said. "It's a hard adjustment process mentally, emotionally and financially. We wanted them to know that we were there for them."

From there, it has evolved to what it is today.

"We do different rides for different things," she continued. "We've done rides that raised money to buy supplies for the officers, such as flashlights, and have done others that are more focused on the dogs."

This ride will focus on the dogs currently serving on police forces and those that have lost their lives protecting their owners.

"We want to also raise money to buy the dogs bullet proof vests as well," Holly said.

The event will begin at the Porterdale Train Depot. Any vehicle can ride in the memorial ride for a small registration fee. Sign-up begins at 8 a.m. with kickstands up at 11:30 a.m. The ride will be led by a uniformed officer from the Porterdale Police Department and the Newton County Sheriff's Office, assisted by the Covington Police Department. The ride will go from Porterdale, through the backroads of the county, then back to Porterdale where riders can pick a place and stop for lunch. There will also be a car/motorcycle contest/show when riders return, raffle options and t-shirts available for purchase.

For more information visit the K9 Memorial Facebook page.