Jason Baugh's COPS Cycling For Indiana C.O.P.S.

By ASHLYN ARCHER , Summer Intern

In eight days, Jason Baugh has ridden more than 600 miles throughout the state of Indiana as part of the Cycling for Indiana Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS).

Baugh, a Cloverdale Police Department patrolman, is participating in this year’s COPS ride in honor of his father, Capt. James Baugh, a former Putnam County Sheriff and deputy who died in the line of duty.

Since his departure on June 18, Jason and his fellow riders have visited the gravesites of several fallen officers statewide and met with their surviving families. They have also enjoyed numerous home-cooked meals along the way.

Baugh is logging details of his journey on his website at www.jimbaugh.com.

On the biking trail, he writes the group has encountered a range of temperatures and weather conditions, including “lots and lots” of rain. Nevertheless, morale is still high. With five more days of biking to go, the group still looks forward to visiting South Bend, Valparaiso, Merrillville, Kentland, Terre Haute and Butler University. The final leg of the ride will be a short one between Butler and Crown Hill Cemetery where closing ceremonies will take place 4 p.m. Saturday.

Those who are interested in helping sponsor Baugh in the ride, or would like to read his daily journals from the trip can visit his website at www.jimbaugh.com/cops.

MEDIA COVERAGE FROM THE BANNER-GRAPHIC

Baugh Riding In Memorial COPS Event

May 25, 2007

By JASON MOON, Assistant Editor

CLOVERDALE — Jason Baugh has a passion for bicycling.

But from June 18-30, the ride he will take part in will mean even more.

For those 13 days, the Cloverdale Police Department Patrolman will take part in the Cycling for Indiana Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS).

Baugh will join 24 other participants and additional part-time riders for a ride that spans more than 1,000 miles around the state.

The purpose of the bicycle ride is to raise awareness and financial support for COPS, a support group for survivors of fallen police officers.

Baugh will ride in honor of his father, former Putnam County Sheriff’s Capt. James Baugh, who died in the line of duty.

“Indiana COPS is a great organization and this event is extremely important to our family,” Baugh said.

He will also ride in honor of Indiana State Police Lt. Gary Dudley, who was killed during last year’s event along with rider Gary Martin.

“(Dudley) was my inspiration while getting back into cycling last summer,” Baugh said. “He not only gave pointers and checked on my progress, he convinced me to ride a few of the last days of the 2006 tour, which unfortunately never happened.

“Now, I can give back. I’ve been on both sides. It means a lot to give back.”

Baugh said he had planned to ride in the event last year, but “wasn’t really in shape to ride.” He said he has lost a lot of weight through biking in the past year.

The event is scheduled to start June 18 at the Indiana Police Officers Memorial in Indianapolis. Prior to the ride, the COPS cycling group will visit with survivors of Indiana’s most recent officers lost in the line of duty and those lost in previous years.

The riders will average 70-75 miles daily, spending seven to eight hours per day on a bicycle. The event will conclude June 30 at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.

The COPS cycling group will make two stops at the ISP Post in Putnamville for the Putnam County Fraternal Order of Police sponsored lunch on the first and final days of the tour.

The riders will pass through Putnam County on U.S. 40 and possibly detour to Capt. Baugh’s gravesite if time allows.

Funds raised from the bicycle ride will provide:

Financial assistance to family members of fallen officers by helping defray the costs associated with National Police Week and National COPS hands-on programs for children, siblings, parents, adult children and spouses of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, Needs associated with criminal trials, Long-term, ongoing support of all survivors, and Business and support meeting needs of the Indiana Chapter of COPS.

Although Baugh is set to take part in the drive, he said he’s still in need of additional sponsors.

“Cloverdale, the police department, and all of Putnam County are truly coming together for this effort. I’m impressed with the contributions so far.”

Baugh said those who are interested in sponsoring him in the ride may contact him at 653-6122 for forms or by visiting www.jimbaugh.com/cops.

SPECIAL THANKS TO MY SPONSORS

Laura Lee Baugh

Jerrod, Tara & Gayle Baugh

Cloverdale Police Department

Putnam Co. Fraternal Order of Police IN #92

Putnam Park Road Course / Diasio Car Co.

House Check Plus - James Grimes

Spalding Systems - Chad McCubbins

The Sallie Mae Fund

Jerry & Hena Schmitz

Andrea Brandes

Mark & Beth Evans

Mary J. Monnett

Melissa Archer

Ron & Marilyn Clearwaters

Jackie Baumann

Rena Sheldon

Marilyn Myers

Steve & Cherry Bryant

Jim & Natalie Dilger

Anne Clark

Jinsie Bingham

Richard & Luella Jackson

John Hornbeck

John & Milora VanAntwerp

Charlie Boller

Del & Phyllis Ott

Barbara Shepard

Bill & Nancy Stone

Brian & Tina Sidor Family

Geoff & Janis Price

Tom & Betty Graffis

Sharon Clearwaters

Tom & Susie Sherwood

J.R. & Ginger Scott

Dale & Sandy Jessup

Mike & Janet Linn

Paul D'Angelo

Dorothy Cabodi

Brian & Valerie Stogdill

Mildred Buttram

Debbie Clapp

Bobby & Cami Hopper

Chuck Midgett

Bob & Joan Corns

Charlie & Robin Hallam

Alice Alderson

David & Jackie Buttram

Larry & Joyce Rybarcyk

Deb Price

Roe & Linda Wrede

Jack & Shirley Dalton

Bob & Ursula Van Antwerp

Industrial Outsourcing Services - John Caldwell

Brett & Audra Millican

Herschel & Anna Robins

June 8 , 2007

Event Report: COPS Cycling Fundraiser

Downtown Indianapolis, on the Circle in front of WIBC

Beginning at 6am and ending at midnight, members of the COPS Cycling for Indiana C.O.P.S. group had a great time riding their bikes on stationary trainers, making contact with donors downtown. Those taking the time to stop to find out what we were all about contributed hundreds of dollars to our 'fish tank' as we pedalled for hours. I had the opportunity to ride in 20 minute shifts from 1pm to midnight. Thanks to all that came out to show their support.

...Jason

May 10, 2007

GREETINGS,

I hope all is well with you as the heat of summer approaches. As usual, it seems to never arrive soon enough.

Fast approaching, I will embark upon a huge adventure in June that is extremely important to myself and our family. I’ll be riding in the COPS Cycling for Indiana C.O.P.S. charity event in honor of my father, Capt. James Baugh, and all law enforcement officers killed in-the-line-of-duty. This charity event raises awareness and funds for our Indiana Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), a support group for the survivors of fallen police officers.

Our 13 day, 1000 mile cycling ride begins on June 18 at the Indiana Police Officers Memorial in downtown Indianapolis, takes us around the perimeter of Indiana visiting the families, friends and co-workers of our most recent officers lost in-service and those lost in previous years. We will make two stops in Putnam County and may be close to your area. You are welcome to visit our group at any point in the ride.

My goal is to raise $1000 in our effort. Any sponsorship and support you can contribute toward this cause is greatly appreciated.

In addition to strengthening the memorial of those lost, this year’s event is very special to me as I will also ride in honor to Lt. Gary Dudley (Indiana State Police), killed during last year’s event, along with rider Gary Martin. Dudley was my inspiration while getting back into cycling last summer. He not only gave pointers and checked-in on my progress, he had convinced me to ride a few of the last days of the ride, which unfortunately never happened.

As an added bonus, Sprint Nextel supplies us with phones and GPS which will allow you to follow our progress online throughout the event.

In the sidebar to the left, you’ll find a Rider Sponsorship Form and our Activity and Route Information. If you have an interest in sponsoring me in this endeavor, please don’t hesitate to let me know.

For those of you that I haven’t had a chance to notify, I was recently appointed as a police officer of the Cloverdale Police Department. It has been interesting and rewarding, to say the least, and I look forward to a new, long career in law enforcement.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me. Please pass this information to any friends or family that may share an interest.

Thanks in advance for your continuing support, Jason.

For additional information, contact:

Jason Baugh
jason@jimbaugh.com

317.319.0680