The 6th Annual Sonny Kim Fallen Officer Memorial Ride Story

The 6^th Annual “Sonny Kim Fallen Officers Memorial Ride” this 2022 started at the CinCity Harley-Davidson on a beautiful, blue sky, spring Saturday, June 4th when their “kickstands” went up at noon.

It was a gorgeous Saturday, especially watching and listening to all of the motorcycles pulling into Gate of Heaven Cemetery to remember and honor that wonderful protector, friend, father, husband, and teacher, Officer Sonny Kim. Kim died after responding to a 911 call on June 19, 2015 and was interred at Gate of Heaven Cemetery on June 26^th.

This annual charity fundraiser is in memory of Officer Sonny Kim, to support fallen officers and first responders. Kim was a dedicated Cincinnati Police Officer with over 25 years in law enforcement, always giving back to the community. During his career as a police officer, Sonny Kim had several commendations. A few of his commendations were “Rapid Responder,” Professional Actions,” “Top Gun,” and “Unselfish and Dedicated Service.”

“A martial arts expert, Kim also owned the Japanese Karate-Do dojo on Mason-Montgomery Road in Symmes Township.  Some of the students there looked up to him like a father, and attributed to him a change in their lives.  At the end of every training session, the students would recite words Sensei Kim meant his students to always remember.” (Policemuseum.org)

• “Seek perfection of character.”
• “Be faithful.  Endeavor.  Respect others.”
• “Refrain from violent behavior.”

All of the motorcycles pulled into Gate of Heaven Cemetery that afternoon, under the enormous red, white and blue, stars, and stripes of our USA flag, kindly and respectfully, with honor. That beautiful flag was raised up by the Loveland Fire Department and the Madeira Indian Hill Fire Department, for this special service.

Once everyone was parked, the service began. After the Honor Guards marched firm into place with holding their flags strong, Grace Hoffman, a lovely vocalist from the Ursuline Academy class of 2023 started the service off singing the Star Spangled Banner. After her last words, a wonderful officer, dressed in his proper bagpipe attire, played Amazing Grace, to touch every heart string listening.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.

(Hymn written by John Newton in 1772)

Once his last sound from his bagpipe was carried through the air, a lovely chaplain, a friend of Sonny Kim shared a special remembrance, a tribute to him and his time on this earth. This time on June 4^th, 2022 together on this sacred ground to “Remember, Honor, Teach and Pray” was a special moment in time for all that were present.

The Regulators LEMC, and Cincinnati H.O.G. #4692, greatly appreciated all who sponsored this 2022 Ride, like Gate of Heaven Cemetery, and all of those that donated towards the charities and the ones who participated in the ride. “Since the last Sonny Kim Fallen Officer Memorial Ride 2021, we have lost seven more law enforcement officers in the state of Ohio while on duty,” stated the Regulators LEMC. With the help of all of the sponsors, riders, and all donations towards the cause, Regulators LEMC supported three local charities on behalf of the Kim Family. The charities are: The Light House Youth Services, The Shield (Cincinnati), and Ohio C.O.P.S.

*Our Prayer for our Fallen Officers: O God, by whose mercy that all fallen officers departed find rest, look kindly on your departed officers who gave their lives in the service and protection of our communities. Grant that through the passion, death and resurrection of your son they may share joy of your heavenly kingdom and rejoice in you with your saints forever.

*Our Prayer for our Present Officers and Protectors:  O Prince of Peace, we humbly ask your protection for all of the men and women protecting our communities, now, every day 24/7. Give them unflinching courage to protect us with honor, dignity and devotion, the rights of all who are at risk every day by injustice and evil. Be their rock, their shield, and their stronghold and let them draw strength from You. For you are God, for ever and ever. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our gratitude goes out to Krogers for their donation of numerous water bottles and Rumpke for the Port-Outlets for the Sonny Kim Fallen Officers Annual Memorial Ride Service at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Also, our gratitude goes to the Loveland Fire Department Chief and team and the Indian Hill – Madeira Fire Department Chief and team for all of their time to participate and raise that beautiful America Flag for the riders entering Gate of Heaven.

Please keep your eyes and ears open for 2023, “The 7^th Annual Sonny Kim Fallen Officers Memorial Ride.” There are many ways that you can be a part of it and donate to the cause, to the charities, in fallen Officer Sonny Kim’s name.

Let’s always remember and pray for officers everyday on duty to protect us!