A group representing the surviving family members of police officers who died in the line of duty will hold a memorial bike ride across Illinois starting today (Wednesday) in Alton. Concerns of Police Survivors, or COPS, will wrap it up with an event on Sunday in Chicago.

This is the 18th annual Cycle Across Illinois and the ride will benefit the Illinois Chapter of COPS. Today's ride began with a brief ceremony at 6:45am at the Alton Marina and includes stops in Chesterfield, Waverly, and Springfield. Alton Police Officer Jacob Custer says the riders will have a long journey ahead.

A special stop will took place this afternoon at the Illinois Police Memorial on the grounds of the state capitol. The ride will continue through towns like Sherman, Bloomington, Dwight, Joliet, Orland Park, and Chicago. The COPS group works to help surviving family members have counseling options available to them across a variety of platforms. The COPS group provides significant support for the children of fallen officers, providing them with summer camps and small group meetings throughout the year.