ALEXANDRIA, Va. - When a Virginia deputy learned who he'd be pedaling to honor, he felt the need to do more.

Stafford County Deputy Joe Pittman contacted the Okaloosa County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office, and asked that they send him a department patch for his project.

Pittman created a shadow box for the fallen officer, Deputy Skip York, who was shot and killed along with his partner while trying to arrest a domestic violence suspect.

The shadow box contains a rubbing of York's name from the National Law Enforcement Memorial as well as the wristband that Pittman wore during the Law Enforcement United ride. The patches of both deputies' departments also are part of the display.

"I just wanted to do it, a token of appreciation or honor. I wanted to let his family know he won't be forgotten," Pittman said. "I also made one for myself."

Pittman said it was an emotional moment when he presented the box to York's wife. "She was very appreciative," he said.

Law enforcement officers from across the country rode from Chesapeake, Va. to Washington, D.C. during Police Week to honor their fallen brothers and sisters.

They presented a check for $110,000 to COPS, an organization that supports survivors of officers killed in the line of duty.

On Thursday afternoon, the group marched into a ballroom at the Alexandria Hilton carrying flags with pictures of their fallen comrades. Families then tried to locate the bicyclist who rode for their heroes.

Once they did, there were long hugs, handshakes, tears and smiles. Bicyclists said they were happy to learn about the person whose name was on their bracelet.

The families posed for pictures with their riders, and exchanged e-mails.

Officer Danielle Lawrence, of the Smithfield, Va. Police Dept., said it was a great ride. She rode for Julius Cummings, a Kentucky corrections officer who died in 1949.

Ken Keeler, a federal officer at the Library of Congress, Inspector General's Office, said riders were pumped. That enthusiasm spilled when the pedaling got tough.

North Carolina Trooper Herbert Brian Lane spoke for several minutes with the family of the officer he rode for -- Seattle Officer Timothy Brenton.

"Some of those hills were brutal," he said. "But looking at the name on that bracelet made you get up the hill."

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