Welcome to the Seminole County Fallen Heroes Memorial Ride website!
On July 26, 2009, a lone gunman held members of the law enforcement community at a standoff for several hours in Seminole, Oklahoma. Two Seminole County Sheriff's Deputies, Captain Marvin Williams and Deputy Chase Whitebird, were killed in the line of duty. They had gone to the residence to serve a bench warrant. This was not a reality television episode, this was an actual event that changed the lives of the officers' friends and families forever. The shooting left a deep scar on the whole community. It brought to light the fact that, even in a small town, horrible crimes can occur and that the law enforcement members who protect the citizenry do so at great risk each and every day.
In response to this tragedy, Sheriff Shannon Smith, the families of the Fallen Officers, and local citizens organized the first annual Seminole County Fallen Heroes Memorial Ride. The first Ride was held on September 12, 2009, with around 300 motorcycle riders taking part. Those who were not motorcycle enthusiasts followed the route in automobiles or came to see the cavalcade leave downtown Wewoka, Oklahoma. Many members of the law enforcement community and emergency personnel from around the state took part in the event. A torrential downpour threatened to ruin the event, but organizers and volunteers quickly moved the last stop from the Seminole County Courthouse lawn to the Wewoka Civic Center. The Civic Center soon filled with wet, chilled riders, but even a downpour couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of those who had come to pay their respects to those who had died. With a remarkable outpouring of community spirit and affection, Oklahomans stood together to honor those who had senselessly fallen and to send a clear message to the world that this type of violence would never be tolerated in Seminole County.
In response to this tragedy, Sheriff Shannon Smith, the families of the Fallen Officers, and local citizens organized the first annual Seminole County Fallen Heroes Memorial Ride. The first Ride was held on September 12, 2009, with around 300 motorcycle riders taking part. Those who were not motorcycle enthusiasts followed the route in automobiles or came to see the cavalcade leave downtown Wewoka, Oklahoma. Many members of the law enforcement community and emergency personnel from around the state took part in the event. A torrential downpour threatened to ruin the event, but organizers and volunteers quickly moved the last stop from the Seminole County Courthouse lawn to the Wewoka Civic Center. The Civic Center soon filled with wet, chilled riders, but even a downpour couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of those who had come to pay their respects to those who had died. With a remarkable outpouring of community spirit and affection, Oklahomans stood together to honor those who had senselessly fallen and to send a clear message to the world that this type of violence would never be tolerated in Seminole County.