When he got the news his best friend died while bicycling at last year’s Police Unity Tour, Chino Police Sgt. Jesus Jacquez made a promise to honor him at this year’s event.
“I have never been into cycling and had no idea what the sport was all about, other than just jumping on a bike and riding,” the sergeant said. “Chris has a very special place in my heart. We have a lot of memories, and this is something I wanted to do for him.”
Over three days last week, the sergeant rode 289 miles from New Jersey to Philadelphia to Baltimore and finished in Washington D.C. to raise money for families of fallen officers who died in the line of duty.
Christopher Bracks, a 44-year-old Los Angeles County Sheriff’s sergeant, avid cyclist and friend to Sgt. Jacquez for 20 years, died on May 10, 2022 at Mile 33 on Day 1 of the tour.
He suffered sudden cardiac arrest.
Sgt. Jacquez was devastated by the news and participated with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department receiving detail which received Mr. Bracks’ body at Los Angeles International Airport.
“Chris was a healthy man,” he said. “He didn’t have a strict diet, but he worked out religiously and took care of himself.”
A couple months later, Sgt. Jacquez purchased a bike and began doing research on how to train.
He raised the $2,000 minimum donation and trained hard.
Sgt. Jacquez and his nephew, a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy, began their ride on May 10 in New Jersey.
The first leg was 86 miles to Philadelphia.
Next was a 106-mile challenging trip to Baltimore.
“That was the longest and most brutal with a lot of climbing,” he said.
After staying the night in Baltimore, the event ended with a total of 3,200 riders from around the country finishing up in Washington D.C.
He said many times during the tour, he felt depleted of nutrients and thought he couldn’t go any further.
“Then you know why you are doing this ride and rely on your heart and push through it. It was a wonderful experience for me,” Sgt. Jacquez said.
Seeing people along the route clapping and waving was moving, he said.
Mr. Bracks’ family and Sgt. Jacquez were chosen to lead all 3,200 riders on the final ride to the memorial.
“It was an amazing experience,” he said.
Sgt. Jacquez said there’s not a day that goes by where he doesn’t think of his friend.
“I have a picture of Chris in my office. I really miss him,” he said.
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