Registration opens Monday for the fourth annual Officer Brian Shaw Memorial Scholarship Ride set for Aug. 21.
The ride through the Alle- Kiski Valley benefits a scholarship fund that reimburses graduates from the Allegheny County Police Training Academy.
Shaw, a New Kensington police officer, was shot and killed after a traffic stop and foot chase in 2017.
The motorcycle ride topped out with more than 760 motorcycles in 2019, but was capped last year at 500 bikes, with a post-ride celebration pared down, because of pandemic restrictions.
“Although we had our bump in the road last year, we were amazingly successful and exceeded our expectations given covid-19 last year,” said Leslie Zellers of Allegheny Township, secretary of the Officer Brian Shaw Memorial Scholarship Fund.
“A lot of people were upset about not participating last year,” she added.
Whether it’s pent-up demand or riding for a good cause, Shaw foundation officials are hoping this year’s event attracts 1,000 bikes, the highest ever.
“We have people willing to sign up from Arizona, Florida, West Virginia, Ohio and other states,” Zellers said. “These people continue to make the trip to support Brian, his memory and the Shaw family.”
Charlie Shipman of Mountain City, Tenn., and a former Lower Burrell resident, knew Shaw. He spent a lot of time at Shipman’s house to visit his youngest sons.
“He grew up at my house,” he said. “The parents are such good people.”
Shipman participated in the past three rides.
“It’s probably the most organized ride I’ve been on in my life. I won’t miss it. We’ll be there every year.”
Event plans are contingent on the status of the pandemic later this summer. Details on public attendance at the post-ride celebration at the Syria Shrine Center in Harmar, which includes a dinner and live music, haven’t been released yet.
Organizers will wait to see if pandemic numbers are low enough to invite more people, Zellers said.
Proceeds from the previous rides have paid for the scholarships of four cadets at the Allegheny County Police Training Academy, according to Terry McClain, president of the scholarship fund committee.
“The donations, whether it be registrations or the generosity of the community, also puts us closer to our goal of a perpetual fund that will carry Brian’s legacy long after we are gone,” he said.
