CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Lights and sirens led the way as cyclists made their way along Agnes Street.
A group of cyclists made up of law enforcement officers and firefighters made a stop in Corpus Christi in honor CCPD officer Kyle Hicks and Sr. Ofc. Vicente Ortiz Jr., two local police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The group is part of the Texas Brotherhood Ride, which will ride 600 miles over seven days, from South Padre Island to Galveston, honoring fallen heroes along the way.
3NEWS caught up with them as they stopped for a quick bite, and a much needed water break.
Scott Ash is a retired police officer from Dallas.
A badge with five stars attached to the back of his bike is a reminder of why he's doing it: five stars for five fallen heroes.
"We lost 5 officers in 2016 in Dallas, and that's when I got involved," he said.
The ride not only honors officers killed in the line of duty, but it also raises money for their families.
"And the most important part to make sure they are not forgotten," he said.
After a few minutes to rest and stretch, they got back on the road, and headed to their next destination: CCPD headquarters in Downtown Corpus Christi, where they, too, received a heroes' welcome by the men and women who serve and protect our own community.
Wednesday, there were two more heroes added to their honor list: Hicks and Ortiz.
Ortiz's family was on hand, as well as Ortiz's law enforcement partner, Sr. Ofc. Jose Flores.
"It's great to have his name honored -- both their names honored -- and their legacy to continue to live," he said.
Asst. Chief David Blackmon called the visit a bittersweet moment.
"It gives you hope in a time we need a lot more grace, and it's a brotherhood," he said.
The Houston Fire Department's Patrick Davis said it is an honor to ride with the group. He's been at it for 10 years when the ride first started up.
"My father was a police officer (Sgt. Randy Davis, End of Watch Jan. 27, 1984) and he was killed in the line of duty," Davis said. "It's comforting to know every time we go back to our hometowns, people always remember and they take time to say we will never forget."
That's the mission, as they clip their helmets and peddled their way out of the police department parking lot and over the Harbor Bridge.
The group hopes to make it to Galveston by this Saturday.