Curt DuPuis was only 2½ years old when his father shot and killed in the line of duty as a Los Angeles police officer on Oct. 17, 1966.

He doesn't recall much about his dad, Keith Gregory DuPuis, but a few memories remain from the funeral. There was a casket with an American flag in the church. Outside, a sea of police officers lined the streets. The next day, a picture in the newspaper showed DuPuis being held by his uncle outside the church.

The Coeur d'Alene man wants to honor his father and other officers who died serving their communities.

He and his wife Desiree are preparing for their second Police Unity Tour, a cross-country cycling event dedicated to honoring fallen law enforcement officers and supporting the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The three-day ride, scheduled for May 10-12, will bring together about 3,000 riders from eight chapters across the country, traveling on separate routes that converge at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.

Curt and Desiree are riding with Chapter VII, based out of Southern California. It will depart from Somerset, N.J., and travel through Philadelphia, Delaware and Baltimore.

Each route is about 300 miles and includes a police escort.

“It’s almost like a parade,” Curt DuPuis said.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of his father’s death, as well as the 30th anniversary of the Police Unity Tour itself.

Officer Keith DuPuis was just 27 years old and had been on the force six years when he was shot during a traffic stop. 

According to the LAPD, DuPuis was mortally wounded by a motorist he and his partner stopped for driving erratically. DuPuis returned fire almost simultaneously and seriously wounded the gunman.

DuPuis died in the hospital 11 days later. 

"The gunman and his companion were arrested and charged with murder. It was later discovered that both suspects were Ohio ex-convicts wanted for robbing a store in Omaha, Neb.," the LAPD website said. "Both suspects were convicted of first-degree murder on March 17, 1967. The gunman was sentenced to death and his companion was sentenced to life. The gunman’s sentence was later commuted to life."

Those who knew Keith DuPuis remembered him as friendly and outgoing, always offering encouraging words, his son said.

Curt DuPuis said last year’s ride was especially meaningful, as it marked the 10th anniversary of the death of Sgt. Greg Moore, a fallen Coeur d'Alene officer. Curt and Desire will also be riding in Moore's honor.

A triathlete, Curt said he's prepared for the bike ride. Chapter VII is known as the “Challenge Ride,” considered the most demanding route. The second day includes 108 miles over hilly terrain.

He'll be riding a bicycle with special significance: After a long wait, he purchased it from an LAPD officer, and it bears the names of Los Angeles Police Department officers killed in the line of duty. His father’s name is among them.

"The bike means a lot," Curt DuPuis said.

Participation in the Police Unity Tour is limited to active or retired law enforcement officers and surviving family members. Riders are required to fundraise a minimum of $2,300. 

Since its inception in 1997, the Tour has raised more than $40 million for the memorial and museum.

The ride coincides with National Police Week, held May 11-16. On May 13, riders and supporters will attend the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Candlelight Vigil, which draws more than 50,000 people each year. 

During the ceremony, the names of officers who died in the line of duty in 2025 will be read aloud and added to the memorial, which honors more than 24,400 fallen heroes.

DuPuis moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1974. A jack of all trades, he works in technology, does remodeling projects, and stays active athletically. 

Curt is no stranger to survival. In 1992, he was on Kauai when Hurricane Iniki struck. It caused around $3.1 billion in damage, six deaths, and destroyed more than 1,400 houses.

DuPuis is looking forward to the Unity ride with his wife, surrounded by hundreds of officers and survivors who share the same purpose. The Police Unity Tour’s motto is, “We Ride For Those Who Died.”

Curt says he finds comfort in knowing that his father’s death led to changes in how officers approach vehicles during traffic stops. 

“A lot of guys’ lives were saved because of my dad’s incident,” he said.

    Curt and Desiree DuPuis of Coeur d'Alene pose during last year's Police Unity Tour.
  

    Keith DuPuis, a Los Angeles Police Department officer, was slain in the line of duty on Oct. 27, 1966.