Palatine officers honor fallen brethren, raise funds

Some barely note the date seven years later. For others, it's still there - the gnarling in the gut, the tug in the heart.

It was still there for Palatine police officers Stewart Seaholm, Garth Martino, Chad Felde and Cmdr. Alan Stoeckel.

The foursome decided to do something about it by taking part in the Tour de Force bike ride, which was started in 2002 as a memorial to the fallen police officers of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

"In May of 2002, I attended National Law Enforcement Week in Washington, D.C., with two other Palatine police officers," said Stoeckel. "Witnessing the ceremonies for those law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in 2001 was a life-changing experience." 

However, it was not only that experience, but also others that prompted Stoeckel to "ride for those who no longer can."

On May 30, 2003, one of his best friends who worked for a sheriff's department in Florida was involved in an incident, he said.

"I had received a late night phone call, telling me that my friend wouldn't be visiting our home the coming weekend because he had been critically wounded by gunfire that morning while serving a search warrant."

The loss made an impact on Stoeckel.

"It is during these uncomfortable times that caused me to look beyond the tragedies," he said, "and do something for the survivors of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, dealing with what I see as a domestic war fought in this country, where 1,671 law enforcement officers have been killed over the past 10 years."

Stoeckel says of his comrades, "we are all connected by at least one blue thread." That is why today, the nonprofit Tour de Force continues to raise monies for those who have fallen in the line of duty. Each September, riders from police, fire, and medical emergency departments from the U.S., Canada, and this year Europe, ride for the cause.

Along with about 150 other bike riders, the Palatine officers started at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on Sept. 8, and ended on Sept. 11 at the World Trade Center site. The total distance of this year's course was about 260 miles.

"The first day was the toughest with a lot of headwinds," said Seaholm. "I slowed down so I wouldn't burn out." The agenda was tight. It was necessary for everything to remain on schedule to ride into ground zero on Sept. 11.

"There were hills, headwinds, and all the normal things you meet when cycling," Seaholm said. "But we were lucky to miss both hurricanes and the rain generated from that."

Yet, through all the details of the trip, it was the moments at ground zero that allowed the officers to look to the skies and see hope, instead of crashing planes, during a silent pause.

"I was overwhelmed," said Seaholm. "I've seen it on television, but being at the site is very unbelievable."

Seaholm also had "moments" when he arrived at the New York Police Department's memorial.

"I was very moved," he said. "As we came in, several police detectives and other people in the area gave us applause and said, 'Thank you.'"

Last year, the organization raised $138,000. This year, totals hit about $200,000. Of that, the Palatine officers individually raised $5,000.

"Although the bike ride was created due to 9/11, the ride lives on to raise funds for families nationwide who lost a loved one protecting the rights and freedoms this great country offers," said Stoeckel.