Georgia motorcycle event to benefit retired state trooper

Georgia state troopers last week rode their motorcycles as part of a charity event for the benefit of Herman Scoggins, a 26-year veteran of the force who is in need of a heart transplant, according to the Rome News-Tribune.

Sergeant Scott Thompson, assistant commander of the state patrol post in Rome, told the newspaper Scoggins has "always been the type of person to help anybody out who needed anything."

The event, Thompson told the News-Tribune, was planned by local post commander Chuck Sizemore. In addition to the motorcycle ride, participants enjoyed a barbeque lunch, a T-shirt sale, door prizes, and a raffle for a new grill, the newspaper said.

Charity motorcycle events are frequently big fund-raisers, but riders need to pay particular attention to safe driving habits when there are dozens or hundreds of other motorcyclists in one area. Large numbers of motorcycles on the same stretch of highway can pose a serious safety hazard.