“I CAN THINK OF NO MORE NOBLE CAUSE THAN TO CARE FOR THE FAMILIES LEFT BEHIND.” – HARRY HERINGTON
is an American icon and the most appropriate choice for my Ride4Cops mission.” And what a mission it is! In the past two years he has ridden more than 25,000 miles and visited 20 state capitals. Throughout those road trips, he and his ride capture the hearts and eyes of many. This bike is a beauty — truly breathtaking. It’s hard not
to stare at this amazing machine, painted predominantly in law-enforcement blue with hints of black and dazzling chrome. Two fl ags fl ying at half- staff decorate the sides of the gas tank. When asked what he liked best about the bike, Herington replies, “...the painting of St. Michael the Archangel, carrying a fallen offi cer to heaven...” The image of St. Michael, painted on the front fairing, is absolutely incredible, from the detail in the outstretched wings to the lasting impression it leaves in your heart. “I also carry miniature replica badges given to me by surviving family members, as well as photographs of our fallen heroes, on the bike,” Herington says. In every sense of the word, this bike is a true rolling memorial, driven with purpose. Neither Mr. Harley nor Mr. Davidson could ever have envi- sioned the expansive greatness their company has come to achieve, nor how their company would bring together people with similar interests and from all walks of life. It’s hard to imagine that in just over a century, a popular motorcycle brand would create fan frenzies or organizations of more than three-quarters of a million people. But as with anything, when you add the human element, small ideas can evolve into Big Business. And with that many riding patrons, it was only a matter of time until a well-built business and product such as Harley-Davidson transformed a passion for winding roads and camaraderie into a philanthropic mission to serve others. That is precisely what Harry Herington and the Ride4Cops motorcycle have done. Missions such as this one serve as reminders that the world is blessed with people whose dedica- tion to others is higher than their own self regard. They are examples of true selfl essness, and how one can turn a favorite hobby into an opportunity to help others.
Studio M Publishing, LLC | L•O PROFILE Magazine
Lake Ozark, MO • www.lakeprofi le.com PUBLISHER: Missy Martinette Hills ART DIRECTOR: Amanda DeGraff enreid WRITER: Jeremy Bono PHOTOS: Ben Weddle & Associates
SPRING 2012 | THE MOTOR OFFICER™ 19
OWNER: Harry Herington BIKE: 2008 Harley-Davidson®
FLHTCU Ultra Classic®
EMPLOYER: Harry Herington is CEO and chairman of publicly traded NIC, whose Forbes Top 100 company builds websites, provides online services and payment-processing solutions for government organizations. It is headquartered in Olathe, Kansas, and has 26 branch offi ces in 24 states.
WHY HE RIDES: In his first year of Ride4Cops, Herington visited seven state capitals. He visited 14 last year. At each capital stop, Herington donates $1,000 toward the cause, and NIC contributes an additional $25,000. Herington has raised more than $150,000 for families of slain policemen and Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), a Camdenton, Missouri, nonprofi t organization dedicated to providing support to those same families. Prior to his visits, Herington makes contact with state and local law enforcement departments to set up time to meet with family mem- bers of fallen offi cers as well as active policemen. Often, these same offi cers join Herington through their city in support for the Ride4Cops mission.