Updated at: 02/19/2010 4:44 PM | KSAX.com

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Late Alexandria Police Officer Remembered in KSAX 2008 Bike Patrol Story

ALEXANDRIA, Minn. - To help remember Alexandria Police Officer Patrick Callaghan, KSAX Eyewitness News is posting a story from July of 2008 in which the late officer was featured as part of the Alexandria Bike Patrol.

In his interview, Callaghan said patrolling on police bikes was similiar to patrolling in squad cars, but also had its ups and downs.

Callaghan said that one of the limitations included pedaling at an average speed of 15 mph.  Despite this, he said it's likely you would be able to catch people off guard.

"People aren't actually looking for a bike," Callaghan said. "They're looking for a squad car."

Callaghan said the perks included going over curbs and going down stairs. 

But, he also said because he was riding a bike instead of driving in a car, the job could be more dangerous.

"You're not as reconizable to anybody driving on the road because you're on a bike," Callaghan said.  "You're in the dark sometimes and you have to watch out for vehicles."

Callaghan said he was glad to serve the community on bike patrol.  

"It's definitely going to make me fit by the summer," he said.

Written for the web by Megan Brown.

mbrown@ksax.com