The 9th Annual K-9 Memorial Event was held on March 4, 2023 and was the largest event in the world to honor K-9’s who have served and protected us. It was also our country’s only annual K-9 event for fallen police dogs.

Holly Cripps and her husband, Police Chief Jason Cripps of the Porterdale Police Department, began We Ride to Provide, which holds the event, as a bike ride honoring fallen K9’s. Over the years, the event has grown to include law enforcement K-9’s from across the country who have died in the line of duty or who passed in retirement.

The memorial event on March 4, 2023, was held in the Porterdale Gym. The event began with a pre-ceremony meeting for handlers that lost their K-9 partners in 2016 and was followed by the ceremony. This year many dogs passed. They had served from areas across the U.S. and from as far as California, Idaho, Ohio, Vermont, and even Puerto Rico.

According to one handler on Facebook, “This is one of the most worthwhile events to attend and support. Being a K-9 handler myself, I can’t begin to tell you what it means to me to know there are folks like the ones from We Ride to Provide! The day in and day out effort that Holly and Jason put into this is truly God’s work and simply amazing. As long as there is life in me, whether I’m still handling K-9’s or not, I will always forever support them. Thank you, Holly and Jason, for the year-round wonderful work you do for police K-9’s and their handlers.”

The event pays tribute to fallen police dogs in Georgia and assists officers with the purchase of safety equipment they may not otherwise be able to afford. Funds also help provide medical kits to K9s worldwide. Each WRTP K9 First Aid Kit costs $85 and often police departments cannot accept kits unless all the dogs are supplied.

Mark the date for the 10th Annual K-8 Memorial Event on March 3, 2018. It’s a long way off so stay connected by following them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WeRideToProvide. If you would like to help, support We Ride to Provide. A donation can be made to their cause via a link of their Facebook page. They are a nonprofit organization and your support is greatly appreciated.