Napa Teen Cycles Calif. Coast To Honor Fallen Peace Officers

NAPA, CA -- Travis Risley was 15 years old when he told his father, Napa police Officer Dan Risley, that he wanted to ride his bicycle down the California coastline. He'd learned the ins and outs of cycling from a cop buddy of his dad's, and wanted to put his skills to the test.

"He was 15 and I didn't pay much attention to it," said Dan Risley, about the conversation with his youngest son about a year ago. "But there was more and more discussion about and it and I finally said, 'If you really want to do it, do it for a purpose.'"

That cop cycling buddy of his dad's, Ken Chapman, suggested the California Peace Officers' Memorial Foundation -- an organization that supports the surviving family members of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. On Monday, by the time Travis Risley touched the border fence at the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego after riding 1,000 miles from the Oregon-California state border, he'd far surpassed his goal of raising $10,000 for his cause.

The foundation supported Travis' mission from the get-go, inviting him to attend this year's California Peace Officers' Memorial Ceremony, held May 7-8 in Sacramento. The lives of 10 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in 2016 were remembered, their names added to the memorial.

• Tulare County sheriff's Deputy Scott Ballantyne
• California Highway Patrol-Gold Run Area Officer Nathan Taylor
• San Jose police Officer Michael J. Katherman
• San Diego police Officer Jonathan "JD" De Guzman
• Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Steven Owen
• Palm Springs police Officer Jose Gilbert "Gil" Vega
• Palm Springs police Officer Lesley Zerebny
• Modoc County sheriff's Deputy Jack Lanceson Hopkins
• Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Alfonso "Al" Lopez
• Stanislaus County sheriff's Deputy Dennis Wallace

Travis went on to meet and connect with several fallen officers' spouses and family members during his 18-day journey down the coast. Many of the connections made will likely be for life, his father Dan said.

"It is obviously so meaningful and therapeutic to them that someone recognizes them and reaches out to them," said Dan, who along with his wife drove a support van, trailing Travis along his entire trip. "They need us to support them. When one of us is killed in the line of duty, it affects all of us."

Dan, a school resource officer in Napa who is getting ready to retire soon after 28 years with the Napa Police Department, says the countless roadway escorts by the California Highway Patrol and others, and the warm welcomes at each law enforcement agency they stopped at along Travis' route, caused him to realize: "There is no doubt in my mind I chose the right profession."

Further, he is proud "seeing how a 16-year-old can bring an entire state together."

After Travis having ridden 80 miles a day in his trek down the coast, the Risleys were planning some downtime in Southern California before making their way back to Napa.

"Thank you for all the support and kindness on this journey, it means more to me than I can put into words," Travis said.

In particular, the Risleys thanked: The Hub Bicycles in Napa (Keith, the owner, helped Travis build a custom road bike for the journey); Ken Ross of Team Superstores, who loaned the Risleys the van they used for the trip; former pro cyclist Lucas Euser and Clif Bars (Clif Bars provided Travis' nutrition for the journey); Napa Police Officers Association; Napa County Deputy Sheriffs' Association; the Napa Firefighters' Association; California Highway Patrol Napa Squad Club; California Air Operations - Napa; and the Kiwanis Morning Group Napa.

"They were all important funding sponsors; without them this ride would have never happened," Dan said.

As for whether Travis sees a future for himself in law enforcement -- his brother works for a sheriff's department -- Travis is not quite sure.

"Maybe," he says.

Photos courtesy of the Risley family