A retired Gaston County (NC) Police sergeant has finished a more than 4,000 mile cross-country bicycle ride to raise awareness and funds for law enforcement suicide awareness organization Blue H.E.L.P.

Retired Sergeant Christopher Lowrance’s journey started in May when he flew to Astoria, OR, and began the bike ride back to North Carolina. After months of sleeping in a hammock, eating ramen noodles and spending a lot of time alone, Lowrance returned home Sunday.

After nearly three decades as a police officer, Sgt. Lowrance told WBTV he wanted to finish his career by bringing attention to the mental health issues that plague the law enforcement profession.

He decided to ride his bicycle cross-country to raise awareness and money for Blue H.E.L.P., which tracks law enforcement suicides and assists families in the aftermath.

His initial goal was to raise $10,000 to support families in the aftermath of a suicide and assist with awareness and prevention programs; he has raised $50,000.

In addition to meeting with police departments along the way, Lowrance was able to meet with some of the families who lost an officer to suicide.

“What I do, if it touches one police officer, one firefighter, EMS or dispatcher, that keeps them from making the decision of doing something to themselves, then this 4,700-mile journey of mine has been worth it,” Lowrance said.