PAXTON, Ill. (WCIA) — A cross-country motorcycle ride with a deeper meaning stopped in Central Illinois on Thursday. People from all over America are honoring fallen law enforcement officers, including former Ford County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Norton.
Norton died in February 2022 after battling COVID.
His brother, Jeff Norton, said he always had a goal to serve his town and find the best ways to bring everyone joy. They loved traveling, going to games, and spending time with family.
“Being a police officer is something Brian wanted to do for a very, very long time, and it’s one of the things I’m most proud of him for,” Jeff said.
His best friend since kindergarten, Jason Dunanvan, said his memories of Brian are always tied to a smile — a smile he’s remembered for their 40-year-old friendship.
“Brian was a people pleaser [in] everything, every aspect of his life. Probably, back then, it was doing something on the chalkboard or messing around, drawing something goofy.”
To honor his legacy and other fallen officers, a nonprofit called End of Watch is traveling the country.
“We ride the entire trip. We ride every mile. It’s the importance of keeping their memories alive and keep talking about them and keep showing these families support,” Ride Coordinator Allison McCarter said.
With them are over 300 sheriffs, detectives, and other heroes’ pictures on the side of the trailer and the bikes themselves. Friends and family said Norton will always be remembered as a man who stood proud by his service to the community and to what mattered to him most.
The group is making their way north and stopped in Chicago Thursday night. The nonprofit has a number of ways for people to help out, along with donations that go back to the families and the agencies around the country.
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