HPD officers stop at Charleston AME church to remember shooting victims

CHARLESTON, SC (KTRK) -- The Houston police officers traveling to New York City to raise money in the fight against cancer made an emotional stop in Charleston, South Carolina, today.

The officers stopped to pray and visit with the community at the Emanuel AME Church, rocked in recent days by the shooting of nine people during a weeknight Bible study.

The team left this message on Facebook: #HPDBikeRelay team member Lt. Randy Upton on the very emotional stop in Charleston a short time ago: "HPD Bike Team van's A&D @ Emanuel AME Church, Charleston SC. It was an honor to have prayed, and placed tokens of our respect to the victims and community."

The 40 officers are on an eight-day, 2,200 mile journey to New York City. They are riding to New York City to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. In addition to this stop, the team made news when they stopped to save a driver trapped in a vehicle.