“We ride for those who died” is the motto of the Police Unity Tour, an annual bike tour drawing officers from all over the country to ride in remembrance of officers who have died in the line of duty.
On May 10, Chapter II, comprised of more than 200 South Jersey police officers, will depart on a journey to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C., and there will join thousands of other officers representing chapters throughout the nation for the last leg of the tour.
At the memorial, participants are greeted by family, friends and survivors. Many riders present the families of fallen officers with remembrance bracelets they have worn throughout their long journey.
According to its website, the Police Unity Tour dates back to 1997, when Florham Park Officer Patrick Montuore came up with the idea for a four-day bicycle ride from New Jersey to Washington, D.C., to raise public awareness about fallen law enforcement officers and to ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten.
Montuore started the first tour with 18 of his fellow officers. Some 22 years later, the tour has grown to include nine chapters consisting of close to 2,500 members nationwide.
Prior to the tour, riders are required to raise a minimum of $1,800, most of which is donated to the National Law Enforcement Memorial and the National Police Officer’s Museum.
Given the steep entry fee, fundraising events are common leading up to the ride. On Saturday, March 30, Optimal Health Club in Burlington Township hosted an all-day spin-a-thon event to raise funds for the Police Unity Tour.
Residents joined members of the Burlington Township and Westampton police departments to “spin for a cause.” All proceeds from the spin classes benefited the Exit 5 Riders, comprised of officers from both local departments.
For Steven Koenig, owner of Optimal, the event presented a great opportunity to utilize their newly installed spin room and make community connections.
“A lot of these people are members, we have tons of cops and military so it’s good for us to give back the best we can,” said Koenig.
Burlington Township Officer Bob Fenimore has ridden with Chapter II’s Exit 5 Riders for the last eight years.
For Fenimore, the tour serves as a reminder to the public about the risks their local officers face.
“The average person going to work, the chance of them potentially getting killed is not that great. The majority of people get it, some people just don’t,” said Fenimore.
He hopes the tour also serves to show people a different side of the police and perhaps change some preconceived notions they may have of law enforcement.
“We’re all human too. I understand that some people have had a bad experience, or in their eyes have had a bad experience, and that unfortunately casts a dark cloud on police work, but I know that’s not the majority of us,” said Fenimore.
For more information about the Police Unity Tour, visit policeunitytour.com.
