About 100 motorcycles on a recent day escorted Wayne Forte, a retired New York City firefighter who built a ceremonial rig in honor of his late friend, New York City police officer Scott Blackshaw. Blackshaw died of 9/11-related cancer in 2018. 

“I miss him, I do," said Forte as he began the drive to deliver the truck. "He kept me going through this and he's with us here today — happy. I might have some bruised ribs, and that‘s of him punching me. Sorry, man. This is for you and we'll never forget."

Forte and Blackshaw shared a love of helping others — and motorcycles.

And though he knows Blackshaw would have hated all the attention, fire, police and military motorcycle clubs from across New York gathered recently at the Commack Fire House, not far from where Forte lives, to escort him to Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn.

“It goes without saying the police and fire department work hand in hand," said Alexander Barnych, the secretary for New York Chapter X of the law enforcement motorcycle club, Blue Nights. "When they bleed, we bleed. When we go down, they go down with us. And it's in that spirit of brotherhood that we don't mind coming out and representing for a good cause like this."

Forte worked on the rig at his home for more than two years. Just a week ago, Forte was worried that he wouldn’t get it in time for Sept. 11 anniversary. He did. He’s is giving it to the NYPD to use instead of a hearse to transport fallen officers at funerals.

Along the way to deliver it, police held traffic back, as the group passed through Queens where Forte worked; fellow fire fighters saluted from the bridges above. Closer to Floyd Bennett Field, a police helicopter joined the transport.

Forte's wife, Heather, drove as part of the escort.

“I'm so happy proud," she said. "Anything you can imagine. It's been a long haul and I'm so happy it came together the way it did." 

Once at the field, Forte became overwhelmed by the show of support along the way and the ceremony.

After the brief ceremony, Forte officially handed the keys over to NYPD deputy commissioner Robert Ganley.

“It's very, very rewarding to see this happen," said Forte. "It's really an honor to be part of this. And everyone here is for the same reason — to never forget."

Forte hopes the truck will never have to be used, but knows it will, and that it will keep Scott Blackshaw’s memory alive.