In a sea of motorcycles and bikers, there was one common purpose – to support the family and memory of Hopkinton police officer Sean Powers.

On Saturday, Oct. 4, 304 people turned out for a motorcycle ride to benefit the Powers family. A motorcade of bikers left Hillsboro-Deering High School with a police escort at 10 a.m. for a two-hour ride to Waterville Valley in the White Mountains. Russell Fuller and Jeremy Gaudet, two of Powers’ high school friends, organized the event.

“It’s something we all loved to do,” said Fuller. “We all used to ride together.”

Fuller said they would like to make this an annual event, and they will make a donation to a different cause each year.

Powers, who joined the Hopkinton Police Department in April, was riding his motorcycle home at the end of his shift when he was killed by an alleged drunk driver on Aug. 14. Powers served two tours of duty in Iraq, suffering no injuries, and was home for less than one year before the incident occurred.

“I heard about this story, and it was a real heart (breaker),” said Rich Netto of Hillsborough, one of the participants in the event.

“Sean and I were like brothers,” said Peter W. Powers Sr., Sean’s father, “the whole military thing, the whole motorcycle thing.”

Peter Powers said by the time his son was 19, he even had a brand-new Harley.

“Sean was just a real nice guy,” said Peter Powers. “He didn’t have a lot of friends – but you knew he loved you, and he knew you loved him.”

Sean Powers’ first-grade teacher, Vicky Wheeler of Hillsborough, sat on the tailgate of her truck amidst the commotion around her. Her husband, John, rode in the benefit as well. Both have been friends with the Powers family for years.

“I’ve got soccer duty today, otherwise I’d be riding, too,” said Wheeler.

“This has got to feel good for the Powers,” said Wheeler, of the massive amount of support shown for the family.

“We miss him, we really miss him,” said Hopkinton firefighter Sean Weldon, who showed up with other members of the Fire Department.

Many people who never knew Powers showed up to the event as well.

“I’m just supporting him as a former police officer myself,” said Ray Bernier of Temple.

“I’m just a fellow Marine,” said Mike Brien of Hillsborough.

Father Mark Dollard, pastor of St. Theresa’s Church in Henniker and St. Mary’s Church in Hillsborough, performed a blessing of the bikes before bikers headed to Waterville Valley. Dollard also officiated at Powers’ funeral.

“We’re going on – putting one foot in front of the other,” said Peter Powers. “You got to have faith. You got to have faith that you’ll see him again.”