STALLINGS, N.C. — A community rallied behind a Stallings police officer who was injured in a motorcycle wreck.
Officer Paul Lemmonds road to recovery hasn't been easy physically or financially, and that’s where community members stepped in to help.
A 60-mile motorcycle ride was held Saturday.
Lemmonds is still recovering from a broken leg, ribs, hip and bleeding from the brain after a serious motorcycle crash last summer.
Lemmonds, who now has a lot of medical expenses, rode along in a car.
“When somebody goes down, everybody steps up,” said Stallings police Sgt. Ben Davis.
To help the longtime police officer and Marine veteran get back on his feet, the ride was planned specifically for Oct. 13, because 10-13 is a law enforcement code if an officer needs assistance.
“Paul is a really good guy, really good officer,” Davis said. “He’s the kind of person who would give you the shirt off his back and it’s just good to see people willing to come out to help today.”
(Paul Lemmonds)
Harley-Davidson of Charlotte helped spread the word, while several motorcyclists came from other states and Washington, D.C.
Lemmonds delivered a message to those who came out.
“A great big thank you,” Lemmonds said. “You don’t know how good it feels to have everybody out supporting you and eventually supporting other officers.”
Union County law enforcement plan to make the ride an annual one.
Cox Media Group
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