Weyburn's marathoning police officer is reaching out to the family of a fallen colleague.

Jeff Bartsch has made a name for himself, running in marathons in full police gear, in aid of Mental Health Awareness.

In September last year, he added to his physical activities, riding a bicycle in the annual Saskatoon to Regina Ride to Remember event, which honours police officers killed in the line of duty. During that ride, Bartsch kept a photo of his late friend, Derek Pineo attached to his handle bars. It was an image that kept him going through gruelling conditions of cold, wind, and rain.

He had befriended Pineo many years ago, during police training at the RCMP Depot in Regina. "I got to know him fairly well, and then, as the routine goes, I guess you get posted, and you move on but, years later I was saddened to learn of the death of Cst. Derek Pineo in Wilkie, Saskatchewan, where his vehicle had struck a moose in 2012." Bartsch told Discover Weyburn.

"I will do whatever it takes to have that young fella join us this year."

Bartsch is planning to tackle the Ride to Remember again this year, a ride has been made longer, from Prince Albert to Regina. And, this time, he has invited Derek Pineo's teenaged son, who enjoys cycling, to come along. "I was just wanting to ask and see if he would be interested if we fund-raised some money to have, his name is Caleb, come out as well as Natasha (Derek Pineo's widow) and their two daughters. So, Caleb could ride the Ride to Remember with us here this year, this fall." said Bartsch.

The family lives in Nova Scotia, and bringing them out west would cost a great deal. "I checked the flights yesterday (March 19th), to bring four out from the Halifax area, so kind of looking at about four thousand to 45 hundred, give or take, so we'll see what happens." Bartsch added.

Bartsch started a Gofundme page on Sunday to raise money to bring all four family members out from Nova Scotia. He's encouraged by the early results. "Yesterday was a very promising day. About nine hours since the Gofund me page was active, there is 600 dollars in that account."

"Just for the purpose of bringing out a young fellow like that who wants to ride for his dad, has kind of warmed my heart  and the whole police community here." said Bartsch. "So that's what we're working towards, and I will do whatever it takes to have that young fella join us this year."

The Ride to Remember is timed to end just before the annual Police and Peace Officers memorial day, which is held on the final weekend of September. Bartsch's goal is to bring not just Caleb, but his mother, and two sisters as well, so they can be a part of that ceremony. They had planned to attend the service in 2013, but were still overcome by the grief of having lost their husband and father the year before.