Sunday afternoon, hundreds of bikers revved up their engines and took to the streets for a good cause.
It was all part of the First Annual Ride For Fallen Officers, honoring men and women who lost their lives protecting ours. The ride started in Portsmouth and ended in Virginia Beach.
"The police, they sacrifice a lot for our safety and this is our way of giving back to them for their courage and everything they do for us," said J.R. Riley from Knuckleheads Roadhouse.
Stanley Reaves, Rick Spalding, Charlie Fisher and Sheila Herring are just a few of the officers who have died while keeping the streets safe.
"We ride for those who died," said Sharon Atkins.
Atkins has her own reason for riding.. It's forever imprinted on her bike. Her sister Sheila Herring was gunned down in 2003.
"It's as simple as that. It's a great thrill. It's a great feeling. I would do it for free, and it's just a wonderful thing to have officers put their lives on the line everyday," said Atkins
"It's heartfelt. Last year I lost a good friend of mine who I also trained, Officer Rick Spalding. So this is a personal tribute to him," said Portsmouth Police Officer Jeff Whitson.
Hundreds of purring engines roared down the streets.
"I think when everybody leaves here, and you hear the rumbling, you see all the people on the bikes and you know the reason why they're here," said Ray Perry of Bayside Harley-Davidson.
The reason is an important one. People come together from every city contributing and remembering lives lost. Their friends, partners and heroes will never be forgotten.
"It's good for the heart. It's good for the community.. It shows we come together when there is definitely a time when we need to support each other," said Frank Crumpton, a Virginia Beach Police Officer.
Ten dollars per biker was collected. The money goes towards raising awareness for the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial in Washington D.C.
About 75 of the 15,000 names on the memorial are officers from Hampton Roads.
We're told today's ride raised more than $10,000.