GLENDALE, AZ -- A spot at the corner of 75th Avenue and Bell Road is known as the place for diner food.
"We worked in these restaurants from the time we could work," said Glendale resident Jim Holly.
His parents own the 5 and Diner. On a wall near his grandfather's picture you'll find a picture of his brother, Anthony Holly, or Tony as they call him.
Tony was a Glendale police officer killed nearly three years ago when a motorist opened fire on him.
"We had heard an hour or two before that a Glendale police officer had been shot," Jim recalls that day. "Nobody knew the outcome of that, yet and I had actually sent a text to my brother's cell phone that said 'our prayers are with his family make sure you call mom and dad and tell them your okay.'"
But Jim never heard from his brother that day.
"That's the last text he got because it was him who was shot and killed," Jim said.
After Tony's murder, the family created a foundation, The Anthony Holly Foundation.
On Saturday the family will kick off the Third Annual Anthony Holly Memorial ride at the restaurant that helped shaped Tony's character.
"He joined the Air Force and served his country," Jim said. "Then he became a police officer."
Holly, who was 24 years old at the time of his death, is remembered for his sense of humor, bright eyes and big smile.
About a month ago Tony's family learned the man accused of killing Tony will get his trial pushed back to 2010. But right now Jim says they're just focusing on the good memories they shared. Like the time they tried to ride their bikes off a roof.
"Gravity doesn't work," he said. "It's not really like the Dukes of Hazard."
Now Tony's friends and family will honor his memory in the ride being held Saturday morning at the 5 and Diner.
"Tony was just getting into motorcycles three weeks prior to his death," Jim said. "He had just bought a Harley."
Jim said the ride will end at Harold's Corral in Cave Creek around 1 p.m. Saturday.
"Something that we can do in his name that keeps his name alive and honors his memory," Jim said. "That really does give back to the community that he and we loved."
The cost of the ride is $25 per person and $15 per passenger.
For more information visit
http://www.anthonyhollyfoundation.org/
