Connect With Your Community!
Connect With Your Community!
Members of the Honor Roll Association finish an August 24 bike ride from Townsend to the Trooper David DeLaittre Memorial Park in Three Forks. Voice photo by Melissa Jenkins.
A member of the Honor Roll Association gives a hug to Dennis DeLaittre following an August 24 ride. Voice photo by Melissa Jenkins
In 2015, Ellen Pierson founded the Honor Roll Association, a non-profit organization that sponsors cycling events to memorialize law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty and pay tribute to the families left behind. Since its formation, the organization has completed over 40 rides, including on Saturday, August 24, when Honor Rolls members, law enforcement officers, and area residents participated in a ride from Townsend to Three Forks to honor fallen law enforcement officers Broadwater County Sheriff's Deputy Mason Moore and Montana Highway Patrol Trooper David DeLaittre.
Moments after finishing at the Trooper David DeLaittre Memorial Park, Pierson discussed the August 24 ride.
"It's so sad we have to have these. Our reception on the road as far as dealing with citizens was very good today. People were pulling over and being very respectful. Some people got out and put their hands over their hearts as we rode by. It showed the families who lost a loved one in the line of duty the respect they deserve," Pierson said.
Broadwater County Sheriff Nick Rauser was one of the riders on August 24 and said it means a lot to him to keep Mason's memory alive.
"When I took office, I wanted to make sure we would never forget and continue to honor him and the man he was. And to be able to come down here to David's memorial, it's the same thing, to keep his memory alive. It meant a lot to me to be able to participate today," Rauser said.
Pierson presented $1,000 donations to the Mason Moore Foundation and Trooper David DeLaittre Memorial Park shortly after the ride.
Pierson said the park is one of the most symbolic memorials for law enforcement she has ever seen.
"This is just gorgeous. It is a beautiful facility," she said.
During the presentation of a certificate and check to Dennis DeLaittre, David's father, Pierson said the Honor Roll Association was proud to be at the park to honor David, and they try to pay it forward to law enforcement charities, especially when they visit the area.
"Thank you so much. I appreciate it, and I appreciate you guys honoring and remembering our fallen. It's great what you do, Keep up the good work. Keep up the pedaling," Dennis said after receiving the donation.
