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Photos, videos: LEOs participate in Police Unity Tour to honor fallen officers
The four-day bicycle ride from New Jersey to Washington, D.C. raises awareness – and funds for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund – for those who died in the line of duty
Every year, National Police Week pays tribute to law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. From October 13-17, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) will be holding a variety of events to honor the fallen, including a candlelight vigil and wreath laying ceremony. Other special activities include NLEOMF's "Run for the Badge" 5K and a family day at the National Law Enforcement Museum. A virtual version of National Police Week ran in May due to pandemic-related restrictions.
Another well-known and popular event during National Police Week is the Police Unity Tour, a four-day, 300-mile bicycle ride from New Jersey to Washington, D.C. The idea came from Florham Park, N.J., Officer Patrick Montuore, who wanted to ensure fallen officers' sacrifices were never forgotten. This year's ride was also scheduled to take place in May but was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns.
The group, whose motto is "We ride for those who died," raised $18,000 with only 18 members in 1997 during their first official ride. Since then, the group has come a long way. Last year, they raised over $2 million with 2,600 members. Riders fundraise and train for the physical challenge throughout the year. All funds are donated to the NLEOMF. Since its inception, the Police Unity Tour has donated more than $30 million.
The ride ends at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, where riders give bracelets worn on their wrists throughout their ride to the families of fallen officers. Below is a selection of photos and videos from law enforcement agencies around the U.S. as they make their journey to Washington, D.C. to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Do you have photos or videos from the ride? Whether you are a participant or bystander, email us at editor@police1.com and we will add them to our roundup.
The 25th anniversary of the Police Unity Tour rides past The Capitol in downtown D.C. today pic.twitter.com/Gz8BvjZ3Tm
— Tessa Baker (@123tessab) October 13, 2021
Bittersweet morning spent at the @NLEOMF.
— Stone Freeman (@TheStoneFreeman) October 13, 2021
Waiting for Ingrid to come through the Memorial apart of the Police Unity Tour. #RideForRuss #LiveLikeRuss 💙 pic.twitter.com/8WHpgUCZmg
The #PGPD Police Unity Tour team has arrived at our Division 3 station! Following this brief break, our officers will continue their ride into DC to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Wall. #WeRideForThoseWhoDied pic.twitter.com/wHsVWtxr9X
— PGPDNEWS (@PGPDNews) October 13, 2021
#PGFD crews from Station 832/Allentown Rd & Station 838/Chapel Oaks were on scene in Palmer Park w/@PGPDNews to welcome riders on the Police Unity Tour. Riders are pedaling from NJ to Washington, DC to honor fallen officers & raise funds for the @NLEOMF. pic.twitter.com/TBMrAMrsgp
— Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department (@PGFDNews) October 13, 2021
Join us TODAY at 2pm ET at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, for the Police Unity Tour Bicycle Ride-In! Between 1,200-1,300 cyclists will finish the last leg of their ride by cycling into the Memorial. Ceremony to follow! pic.twitter.com/DJRPgz2rFj
— NLEOMF (@NLEOMF) October 13, 2021
AACOPD Ofcs continue their ride with the Police Unity Tour through Annapolis on their way to Washington, DC. The primary purpose of the Police Unity Tour is to raise awareness of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. https://t.co/NHd7RhRhqw
— Anne Arundel Police (@AACOPD) October 13, 2021
Thrilled to have Police Unity Tour Chapter IX and its five #HoCoPolice members stop by headquarters this afternoon on its way from Philadelphia to D.C. The Unity Tour, in its 25th year, raises awareness of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. pic.twitter.com/0BQlcASovk
— Howard County Police Department (@HCPDNews) October 12, 2021
Police Unity Tour 2021: https://t.co/Jcbbo5DFXr pic.twitter.com/ZRqX5yePSn
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) October 12, 2021
Today’s ride was special. We met the father of fallen police officer Kaia Grant. Her dad, Kevin was riding in her honor. Officer Grant was killed in the line of duty in March 2020. We will continue to honor and remember all of the lives that were lost. Police Unity Tour 2021. pic.twitter.com/892lfIl44r
— Bloomfield Division of Public Safety (@BlfdPublicSafe) October 12, 2021
Police Unity Tour update: We heard from Det Braddock. Yesterday, she & members of the #PoliceUnityTour Chapter 1 biked 90 miles. Today 95 miles. Here’s a video of them crossing the Commodore Barry Bridge, connecting NJ/PA. @NLEOMF @townoframapo @RamapoPBA pic.twitter.com/G93jmlgzBz
— Ramapo Police Dept. (@Ramapo_PD) October 12, 2021
The Police Unity Tour, making its way through the Church Hill and Centreville areas! They recently left Nonna Maria’s restaurant, making their way to the Narrows, raising awareness of Law Enforcement Officers who have died in the line of duty. pic.twitter.com/p7MvERAWI2
— Queen Anne's Sheriff (@QAsheriff) October 12, 2021
Police Unity Tour Chapter IX, during a ride from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., will be stopping at Southern Precinct tomorrow at approx. 0900hrs. Be alert for traffic delays along their travel route. If would like to show your support, please arrive no later than 0815hrs. pic.twitter.com/vIcOgkkoug
— Harford Sheriff (@Harford_Sheriff) October 11, 2021
Det. Scott McGowan began his journey from NJ to the National Police Memorial in Washington, DC, riding his bike in the Police Unity Tour. He is the 1st Montville Twp Police Officer to make this ride. Safe travels!!!! pic.twitter.com/i7uCnosWR3
— Montville Twp Police (@TwpMontvillePD) October 11, 2021
Det. Braddock completed 46 miles of her 300 mile ride to Washington DC. Here’s a video, from earlier, of Police Unity Tour members biking toward DC. A rainy ride but the group appreciated the support of area residents & first responders as they passed through their communities. pic.twitter.com/uOp15ubXxM
— Ramapo Police Dept. (@Ramapo_PD) October 11, 2021
Safe travels to our team of officers taking part in the 25th Police Unity Tour Bicycle Ride. They began the journey in New Jersey and will end in DC. This event honors the officers from PGPD and those across the country who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice. pic.twitter.com/zqkK3jfHbi
— PGPDNEWS (@PGPDNews) October 10, 2021
The Plainsboro Police Unity Tour Team has finished day 1 of 4 of the Police Unity Tour 25th anniversary ride. This year they will be riding from Philadelphia to Washington DC, in honor of officers that have died in the line of duty. pic.twitter.com/XlB4uJ2uA1
— Plainsboro Township Police Department (@PlainsboroTwpPD) October 10, 2021
Police Unity Tour has begun. Team Bloomfield Police will be riding their bicycles from New Jersey to Washington DC to raise money and awareness for officers that were killed in the line of duty. “We Ride for those who Died”. We wish everyone a safe ride. pic.twitter.com/U2hTSRES5T
— Bloomfield Division of Public Safety (@BlfdPublicSafe) October 10, 2021
https://t.co/8TIgfPuT4N The primary purpose of the Police Unity Tour is to raise awareness of Law Enforcement Officers who have died in the line of duty.
— Anne Arundel Police (@AACOPD) October 9, 2021
They will ride from NJ to DC totaling approximately 300 miles over 4 days! Safe travels to our riders! pic.twitter.com/PZ2rHFsY1G
Police Unity Tour 2021. A tribute to all those who ride for those who died. "This memorial is a remembrance of the people who have fallen here at the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. @RochesterNYPD has a similar one, and there are hundreds of others across the United States pic.twitter.com/R6Gvrc6UWW
— Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (@monroesheriffny) October 8, 2021
My sidekick and I went to support Officer Bill and all of the men and women who are riding in the Police Unity Tour. Safe travels and we will you soon 💙 @CMSmtolive pic.twitter.com/GlxFcu0Bs5
— Alicia Danis (@alicia_danis) October 10, 2021
The Department hosted a send-off with wishes for safe travels to the Police Unity Tour Riders representing the NJDOC. They carry on the legacy of those no longer with us while also carrying the badges of the late Senior Correctional Police Officers Nelson Perdomo and Maria Gibbs. pic.twitter.com/OK5EYC0e3S
— NJ Department of Corrections (@NJ_DOC) October 8, 2021
