Lowell Police Chief Remembered in Memorial Ride and Services
By: Cassidy Hodges
Updated: May 11, 2012
Hundreds gathered in Northwest Arkansas to celebrate the life of Lowell Police Chief Joe Landers.
Twenty-eight law enforcement agencies came--with officers traveling as far as Tulsa and as close as Rogers.
More than 180 motorcycles--all riding together to honor the Chief Joe Landers.
"When we lose somebody, whether it's in the line of duty or they're out on recreation, they're still part of the brotherhood and they always will be," says Deputy Doug Gay, with the Benton County Sheriff's Office.
Just two weeks ago, Chief Landers was on vacation in Panama City, Florida.
That's when the Florida Highway Patrol says he was hit by a drunk driver, throwing him off his motorcycle and into critical condition.
Landers died last Friday in a Florida hospital over 800 miles from home.
"Chief Landers was an amazing guy, he was fun to be around we're definitely going to miss him," says Gay.
So law enforcement across Benton County now covering their badges in black.
"It signifies the respect we have for the loss," says Gay.
Meanwhile, the Landers' family, remembering a softer side of their Dad.
"He carried himself in a manner that you see very little these days but at the same time as you can see by the t-shirts, he had a fun side he was the burnout king," says Whit Landers, Joe's son.
And even motorcyclists who didn't know him well are riding along supporting a biker brother.
"Bikers all mostly stick together because they're just one big happy family, it doesn't make a difference what you ride, we just band together in tough situations like this," says Kert Hale, who rode in the motorcade.
The long line of law enforcement lights--a comfort for this family.
"It's simply overwhelming. We could not have even imagined this kind of turnout. It just goes to show how many lives he touched in a certain way, whether he met you once or he was around you everyday," says Whit.
"He is going to be missed," says Gay.
Landers served on Lowell's Police force for 17 years, and for the past 15, he was the Chief. He died at just 52 years old.
It's easy to see how the community of Lowell has come together over the last few weeks, organizing fundraisers and prayer vigils.. It's a testament to how much of an impact this man had on his city.
Twenty-eight law enforcement agencies came--with officers traveling as far as Tulsa and as close as Rogers.
More than 180 motorcycles--all riding together to honor the Chief Joe Landers.
"When we lose somebody, whether it's in the line of duty or they're out on recreation, they're still part of the brotherhood and they always will be," says Deputy Doug Gay, with the Benton County Sheriff's Office.
Just two weeks ago, Chief Landers was on vacation in Panama City, Florida.
That's when the Florida Highway Patrol says he was hit by a drunk driver, throwing him off his motorcycle and into critical condition.
Landers died last Friday in a Florida hospital over 800 miles from home.
"Chief Landers was an amazing guy, he was fun to be around we're definitely going to miss him," says Gay.
So law enforcement across Benton County now covering their badges in black.
"It signifies the respect we have for the loss," says Gay.
Meanwhile, the Landers' family, remembering a softer side of their Dad.
"He carried himself in a manner that you see very little these days but at the same time as you can see by the t-shirts, he had a fun side he was the burnout king," says Whit Landers, Joe's son.
And even motorcyclists who didn't know him well are riding along supporting a biker brother.
"Bikers all mostly stick together because they're just one big happy family, it doesn't make a difference what you ride, we just band together in tough situations like this," says Kert Hale, who rode in the motorcade.
The long line of law enforcement lights--a comfort for this family.
"It's simply overwhelming. We could not have even imagined this kind of turnout. It just goes to show how many lives he touched in a certain way, whether he met you once or he was around you everyday," says Whit.
"He is going to be missed," says Gay.
Landers served on Lowell's Police force for 17 years, and for the past 15, he was the Chief. He died at just 52 years old.
It's easy to see how the community of Lowell has come together over the last few weeks, organizing fundraisers and prayer vigils.. It's a testament to how much of an impact this man had on his city.
