/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/C55UJZL3BNBDJD34ZAFCROMWDM.bmp)
NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – A trailer with the names and images of more than 600 law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty travels the country with a group of people who seek to honor them.
That caravan stopped at the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, and those in attendance met friends and family of Capt. David MacAlpine, who died after a battle with COVID-19 last year.
“To be able to take another look at our own Captain Mac…it’s an incredible, sobering and moving moment,” New Hanover County Sheriff Ed McMahon said.
The Beyond the Call of Duty End of Watch Ride to Remember is a 79-day cross-country journey. Today marked the first time MacAlpine’s family saw the trailer in person and placed a flower next to her photo.
“It’s always sad, you know, to rehash those times of my dad,” MacAlpine’s daughter Aaliyah said. “But having those kinds of moments makes me realize how great he was.”
“JC” Shah launched the End of Watch Ride in 2019 to honor fallen law enforcement officials across the country, with a focus on family and community.
“I think it’s really important that we remember all these beautiful men and women and their families,” Shah said. “And let the departments know that their hurt is felt across the country.”
Every mile of the journey brings honor and respect. The band started in Spokane, WA in June and will travel coast to coast before wrapping up in the Midwest in August. The trip will cover 268 departments in 43 states to honor the 608 officers who died in the line of duty in 2021.
Like those with him, the trip encourages those close to MacAlpine to keep his memory alive.
“I feel like I know I’m going to see him again,” Aaliyah said. “So that’s just the attitude I have when remembering my dad.” Everything reminds me of him from the sheriff’s cars, seeing the sheriff’s car, you know, it’s sad, but I know him, he said ‘Honey, don’t cry for me, keep going’.
To learn more about the End of Watch Ride, click here.
Copyright 2022 WECT. All rights reserved.
