On May 9th through May 12th Captain John Burke, Police
Officers Jerome Fowler and Geoffrey Cole will be participating in the Police Unity Tour in memory of those
Police Officers who have died in the line of duty. The Police Unity Tour
will consist of cycling from New Jersey to the National Law Enforcement
Officer's Memorial in Washington D.C.
To participate in the Police Unity Tour each member is
required to raise at least $1700.00 in sponsorships. This amount not only covers expenses
such as insurance, food, lodging, supplies, support vehicles and personnel to
ensure rider safety but also raises financial support for the National Law
Enforcement Officer's Memorial which remembers those we have lost. It
gives the families and loved ones left behind a place to memorialize their
heroes. While the experience of the tour is rewarding and an
honor, each member must also be extremely committed to reaching their
fundraising goals and be physically prepared to complete the trip.
In May 1997 the Police Unity Tour was organized with the hope
of bringing public awareness of Police Officers who have died in the line of
duty and to honor their sacrifices. We started in 1997 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. which raised $18,000.00. Over
1000 police officers from around the country and world participate to remember
our departed brothers and sisters.
In late 2005, the Police Unity Tour pledged $5 million in
support of the National Law Enforcement Museum. Inspired by our commitment and
our motto, "WE RIDE FOR THOSE WHO DIED" the National Law Enforcement Officers
Memorial Fund has selected our organization to be the sponsor of the Museum’s
Hall of Remembrance.