PHOTOS ABOVE: Courtesy PARAMUS PD
SHOUT OUT: This year’s Policy Unity Tour, as always, will have a quick start in New Jersey, continuing right up to the sendoff of the 330-mile ride scheduled to arrive at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C. on May 12.
Paramus Police Motor Officers Pete Arvidson, Brian Linden, and Thomas Schroeder will be riding police motorcycles to escort a contingent of bicyclists who’ll set off from East Hanover in Morris County on May 9 to help raise awareness and funds for the expansion, maintenance and preservation of the memorial.
JCPD Melvin Santiago (CLIFFVIEW PILOT photo)
Paramus police are also selling t-shirts to help meet their own fundraising minimum goal of $5,550.
The ride is part of National Police Week, during which a variety of special events are held, including a candelight vigil that regularly draws tents of thousands to the memorial to dedicate the names of 118 police officers killed in the line of duty last year across the United States.
These include Jersey City Police Detective Melvin Santiago, who was shot and killed last July 13 while responding to a holdup, and NYPD Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, who were gunned down in cold blood as they sat in their cruiser on a Brooklyn street corner last year just days before Christmas.
What began with 18 cyclists 15 years ago has grown to more than 1,800 nationwide — and dozens from throughout Bergen County — who’ll be making this spring’s trip.
Participants come from other countries, as well, and leae from leave from six “spokes” along the East Coast.
Each has pledged to raise the minimum $2,000 required to participate.
Last year’s ride produced $1.9 million in donations, bringing the total since 1997 to nearly $16 million.
To contribute, CLICK HERE:
