SPSF honors injured Smyrna police officer with motorcycle ride

Saturday about 200 people attended the Smyrna Public Safety Foundation’s Standing Together Benevolent Motorcycle Ride and Raffle benefitting injured Smyrna Police Officer Jed Minyard.

Minyard was injured in an on-duty motorcycle accident in November 2010. Since the accident, he has undergone several surgeries and can now walk with crutches, but is currently fighting an infection is his wounded leg. Minyard said he's anxious to get back to work.

"Everybody always prays for a vacation, but after six surgeries it stops being a vacation," he said.

Support for Minyard at the event was immense. He was accompanied by his wife, Ashley, and his 5-week-old daughter, Emma Kate. Other members of his family also attended the event. 

"The feeling is just kind of overwhelming," he said. "I just don't know how to take it."

Many motorcycle enthusiasts came out to support Minyard and his family including Robin Wheeler, one of Minyard's family friends. Wheeler is no stranger to honoring the men and women who keep America safe. She's a member of Patriot Guard Riders, a group of bikers who escort fallen soldiers during their funerals and shield their families from protestors. 

For Wheeler, the ride was about giving back to law enforcement officers.

"They're out their serving our community everyday," she said.

Bikers participated in a 40-mile ride through Cobb and Paulding counties and ended the day with a picnic at Cobb Park.