Hundreds of motorcyclists turn out for 4th annual Officer Brian Shaw benefit ride

When the driver of the lead car for the Officer Brian Shaw motorcycle run Saturday climbed the Route 28 hill near the Tarentum exit, he turned and saw nothing but cycles stretching for more than 2 miles.

The run was a spectacle with close to 700 motorcycles traveling through more than 20 Alle- Kiski Valley communities on a near-perfect sunny day.

An estimated 2,000 people — the most ever — showed up at the Pittsburgh Shrine Center in Harmar for the after-ride luncheon, live music and 100 gift baskets up for raffle, said Eric Felack, event spokesman.

Proceeds from ShawRide IV will benefit the nonprofit Officer Brian Shaw Memorial Scholarship Fund. A New Kensington police officer, Shaw was shot and killed after a 2017 traffic stop.

A New Kensington police car driven by Chief Bob Deringer led the ride.Behind him and in front of the hundreds of motorcycles was Brian Shaw’s Ford pickup decked out with an American flag and a police “thin blue line” flag.

The first two motorcycles behind Brian Shaw’s truck were his parents Stephan Shaw with Lisa Shaw, and brother Steffan Shaw with his wife Jackie Shaw.

“The great turnout shows how much of a great guy he was and the support his family still has,” Deringer said.

The long line of cycles drove north on Route 28 to Ford City and wound through small communities in Alle-Kiski Valley, including Shaw’s hometown of Lower Burrell and New Kensington where he worked.

Paulette Zanotti, the event coordinator for the Pittsburgh Shrine Center, said the cycles were so organized that “they got out of the center’s parking lot in the morning in 17 minutes.”

The popularity of the ride, with people lining the streets along the way, has expanded beyond Shaw’s supporters. A group of about seven Pittsburgh-area residents joined the ride this year and were impressed with the organization of the ride and the small towns they got to ride through.

Event organizers worked with law enforcement and fire police to close down intersections throughout the 65-mile route.

“There were so many supporters on the sidewalks when we were driving through the towns,” said Michele Benovitch, 42, of West Deer.

Fellow rider Mark Chirico, 44, of O’Hara, said: “There were kids wearing tactical gear saluting us.”

They saw a man alongside his car, pulled off Route 28, giving military salutes to riders as they blew by.

Terry McClain, president of the Officer Brian Shaw Memorial Scholarship Fund, thanked the many people and volunteers who made the ride happen during the luncheon at the Shrine Center.

“We’re blessed to give away five scholarships with your contributions, your love and your support,” he said.

McClain drew loud applause when he said: “With the way things are today — the lack of support for the police — I know more than 700 motorcycles and 2,000 people here today say, ‘We support the police.’ ”

Saturday’s ride raised $35,000, Felack said.

The money will pay for two annual, reimbursable scholarships to the Allegheny County Police Academy and will be added to funds for a perpetual endowment for future scholarships.