Police departments in the Northern Valley and Pascack Valley areas contributed riders and support staff to the national Police Unity Tour—a ride for those who died in the line of duty—during the 22nd annual trek from Ground Zero to Washington, D.C.
Nationwide, thousands of police officers pedaled in the 300-mile, four-day bicycle ride that pays tribute to officers who have been killed in the line of duty.
All the bicycle riders, plus police support staff riding motorcycles and driving large vans used to transport riders and bicycles home, converged on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, May 12 to honor the fallen.
Surviving family of fallen officers also join the somber ceremonies on Sunday to commemorate the sacrifice of all officers killed while protecting the public.
NJ officer started Unity Tour
The annual ride was begun in 1997 in New Jersey by then-Florham Park Police Officer Patrick Montuore and consisted of 18 riders. The annual ride now features more than 2,000 riders from nine Police Unity Tour chapters nationwide.
This year the ride featured officers from more than 40 states, plus such countries as Australia, England, Israel, Italy, India and Canada. The 2018 tour raised and donated $2.6 million to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, and total contributions over the years amounted to almost $23 million for the fund.
Pascack Valley riders
The River Vale Police Department held a three-day fundraising effort, in concert with Davey’s Irish Pub in Montvale, which donated 20 percent of diners’ bills over three April days.
On River Vale’s police department Facebook page, Lieut. John DeVoe is shown with Sgt. Dino Dinelli and Sgt Peter Martin, before DeVoe embarked on his more than 300-mile trek.
In nearby Westwood, Officer Danielle Neuberger participated in the bicycle journey and was seen photographed at Ground Zero in a Facebook post before the trip. Beneath her photo, the department and residents posted messages of support and good wishes for her trip.
In Park Ridge, two officers, Lt. Peter Mauro and retired Police Officer Scott Laughton, took the long trip to the capital.
On May 9, the Unity Tour’s start, Township of Washington police tweeted out, “We would like to wish all riders a safe ride from Ground Zero to D.C.!”
In Montvale, Police Lt. Alisha Foley was wished good luck and a safe journey from her department on Facebook as she joined thousands of riders as a return participant on the solemn trip.
Northern Valley riders
Eight Englewood police officers participated in this year’s fundraising bicycle tour for the 10th year in a row, according to a Facebook post, which featured the group highlighted below Manhattan’s Freedom Tower.
In addition to riding for fallen officers nationally, the officers rode for Sgt. John Francis Crowley, whose end of watch date, or death in the line of duty, was Jan. 12, 1975.
In nearby Tenafly, the police department featured two officers participating including bicycle rider Lt. Michael Greeley and Sgt. Wayne Hall riding an escort motorcycle.
The annual ride kicks off National Police Week, which was established by President John F. Kennedy in 1962. Kennedy designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls in as Police Week.
Annually, up to 30,000 police officers gather to honor officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and attend events with survivors and dignitaries to honor their sacrifice.
Editors Note: Due to our production schedule, some area police departments that participated in 2019’s Police Unity Tour might not be represented in this report. We’re happy to follow up. Police departments wishing to add names, photos, and stories on the tour are invited to connect with us at pascackpress[at]thepressgroup.net or northernvalleypress[at]thepressgroup.net with the subject “Police Unity Tour.” We’ll get the information out in an upcoming issue.