See related MidJersey.News coverage here: Police Unity Tour Memorial Service And Blessing Of Riders
September 27, 2020
Check back for more photos, still having photos sent into MidJersey.News and will be updated again tomorrow or later tonight.
STAFFORD TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–The Police Unity Tour held a one day bike ride today starting in Asbury Park and proceeding on shore routes towards Stafford Township ending at the Stafford Township Police Memorial.
This year’s spring four day ride that is usually held in May was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic that ends at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.
This year’s ride was shortened to one day and two hundred sixty police officers participated from fourteen states including California and Missouri.
History of the Police Unity Tour:
In 1997, Florham Park (NJ) Police Officer Patrick Montuore had a simple idea: organize a four-day bicycle ride from New Jersey to Washington, DC to raise public awareness about law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty, and to ensure that their sacrifice is never forgotten. With that, the Police Unity Tour was formed.
What started with 18 riders on a four day fund-raising bicycle ride from Florham Park, NJ to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. has grown into 9 chapters consisting of nearly 2,600 members nationwide who make the trip annually. Participants include riders, motorcycles, and support personnel.
The journey is long and challending but for the Police Unity Tour participants it is what they prepare for throughout the year. Through fundraising and physical training, they know that their efforts raise awareness of the ultimate sacrifice made by so many law enforcement officers.
The last leg of the jouney ends at the Memorial, where the participants are greeted by friends, family, and survirors. Once there, many Police Unity Tour members present remembrance braclets worn on their wrists throughout the journey to the families of the fallen.
May 2020, the Police Unity Tour was proud to donate more than $2.0 million to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, bringing our total donations to more than $30 million since their inception.
The Police Unity Tour is the sponsor of the National Law Enforcement Museum’s Hall of Remembrance, the Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Award, and Recently Fallen Alert programs.
Photos by: Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office
Today Sgt. Biddle, Ptl. Alexander, Ptl. Edwards and ACO Bencivengo participated in a Police Unity Tour ride from Asbury Park to Stafford Township. This ride helps raise awareness of Law Enforcement Officers who have died in the line of duty. Photo by: Bordentown Police Department
Provided by: Stafford Twp. PD Video provided by: Bucky For Sherriff
#MCSONJ was proud to participate in this yrs Police Unity Tour, a 1 day bike ride which began in Asbury Park,to raise awareness of members of LE who died in line of duty.@SheriffGolden commends all who are ensuring the sacrifices of our brother&sisters never go unnoticed. @NLEOMF pic.twitter.com/ZRVNmVeiO6
— Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office (@MonmouthSheriff) September 28, 2020
Today Sgt. Biddle, Ptl. Alexander, Ptl. Edwards and ACO Bencivengo participated in a Police Unity Tour ride from Asbury Park to Stafford Township. This ride helps raise awareness of Law Enforcement Officers who have died in the line of duty. 🇺🇲🚴♂️💙 pic.twitter.com/CwRzyhpJCY
— Bordentown Township Police (@township_police) September 27, 2020
NJSP Photos