Police officer Sean Powers’ memory will ride on.

Hopkinton Police Chief David Wheeler is working with two of Powers’ Hillsboro-Deering High School classmates to honor the recently killed officer with a motorcycle ride to benefit the Powers family.

“The family is strapped right now with paying for the funeral, so we wanted to generate a fundraiser and bring closure to that issue,” said Wheeler. “By the same token, we want to do something very positive to not only help the family out, but bring people together in his memory.”

Wheeler said the Saturday, Oct. 4, motorcycle ride will hopefully include a two-hour ride into the White Mountains, a one-hour lunch break, and a two-hour ride back, including a police escort the entire way. Powers, who joined the Hopkinton Police Department in the spring, was killed on Aug. 14 by an alleged drunk driver while riding his motorcycle home at the end of his shift.

“He had so many passions. It’ll be amazing to try to think about what he would want to have money go to each year,” said Russell Fuller, one of Powers’ friends who organized the benefit with friend Jeremy Gaudette. “It’ll be good coming up with special things to remember a special person. It’s hard to say just how amazing someone is.”

Even though Powers worked with Wheeler in the department for a short time, the chief said Powers made a big impact.

“Although he was here for a short period of time, his spirit will be stimulating this department and community for a long time to come,” said Wheeler. “It hit here as hard as it hit them, in some respects. It’s been very good for the officers to get through this by maintaining an open communication with the family.”

Fuller said he has been impressed to see the community response since Powers’ death, and hopes the motorcycle ride will be more of the same outpouring.

“Even the day we did the funeral, seeing everyone on the side of the road was very respectful,” said Fuller. “I’m looking forward to putting something like this together every year from now on. I’m hoping I can do it every year, learn more about it and see people coming back.”

Wheeler said he has already gotten a large response about the ride, and hopes to get at least 300 to 400 people to take part. Each rider is being asked to make a $25 donation for the event, which has a rain date of Saturday, Oct. 18.

“I think it’ll be very instrumental in (getting some sort of closure),” said Wheeler. “The family needs the support, and they’re getting the support.”

Even those who don’t ride motorcycles may take part in the event, as Wheeler said there have been volunteers willing to cater the lunch at the halfway point of the ride.

While Wheeler said the fundraiser will be helpful in the grieving process, he knows it is ongoing.

“This process will take time. It’s not something that will be over in any finite period,” said Wheeler. “We want to keep that memory stimulated and very much alive.”

Motorcycle Ride will travel from Hillsboro-Deering High School to the White Mountains and back. Anyone who wants to participate in the ride is asked to meet at the Hillsboro-Deering High School, 12 Hillcrest Dr. Hillsboro, at 9 a.m.

Those interested in taking part in the ride should contact Chief Wheeler at 746-5151.