The Mantua police have announced that four department officers will participate in the Police Unity Tour from Thursday, May 9, to Sunday, May 12.
The event – sponsored by the tour’s Chapter 10 – is a voluntary bicycle ride for officers that will take them from central New Jersey to Washington, D.C., where the National Law Enforcement Memorial is located.
The four Mantua officers are Lt. Brian Hauss, Det. Jeff Krieger, and patrolmen Alexander Stewart and Joseph Craig.
“This is a voluntary thing,” said Hauss. “… Each day, we ride for about 60 miles and stop at various memorials for fallen officers along the way.”
The day after the ride ends, May 13, the Mantua department members will attend a candlelight vigil that will cite the names of fallen officers across the country who have died in the past year. One of them is township officer Robert Shisler. Members of the Mantua force attended Shisler’s funeral and helped the Deptford police during that time.
“There was an outpouring of support from near and far, from his LE (law-enforcement) family to those just wishing to pay their respects for this young warrior who made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Mayor Robert Zimmerman, a former police officer who attended Shisler’s funeral.
The Mantua officers will be joined on the ride by members of the West Deptford police. While the ride is voluntary, participation costs $2,000, according to Hauss.
“This is a great way to honor fallen police officers,” he noted.
Hauss added that the ride’s cost pays for food and lodging during the multi-day tour.
“We have support from Chief (Darren) White in our endeavor, as well as the members of the Mantua Township Committee.”
According to a press release posted on Facebook, the tour also aims to raise money for the law-enforcement memorial and its sponsored.
Those interested in donating can do so at Donorview.com.
