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History: A Mission of Honor
Officer Patrick Montuore of the Florham Park, New Jersey, Police Department founded the Police Unity Tour in 1997. In the beginning, the concept was simple. Pat wanted to honor his fallen colleagues by riding his police issued mountain bike to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial (NLEOM) in Washington D.C. Soon, several of New Jersey ’s finest had committed to the cause and began collecting contributions made by supportive family, friends, co-workers, and other members of the community. 14 officers left New Jersey that year on the 300+ mile bicycle mission of honor, carrying an $18,000 check for the NLEOM Fund.
Since 1997, the Memorial bicycle ride has grown into an annual event and the Police Unity Tour has developed into a national organization. Proudly, Police Unity Tour members have delivered over 1.5 million dollars to the NLEOMF, making it the largest private and/or corporate sponsor of the Memorial!
The Police Unity Tour currently has eight organized chapters nationwide. The organization is growing substantially each year, and hopes to someday have chapters in all fifty states!
Chapter IV, Virginia Route
33 police officers from Virginia Beach , Norfolk , Portsmouth and Chesapeake began Chapter IV's inaugural ride to Washington D.C. on May 11, 2001 . The two-day trip covered nearly 250 miles and culminated when Chapter IV converged with Chapters I, II, and III at the Lincoln Memorial. Together, as a unified group of approximately 175 law enforcement officers on bikes, they completed the ride to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
The Virginia Chapter’s route now begins each year on May 10th in Chesapeake, Virginia at Virginia State Police Division V Headquarters. The bicyclists pedal through Smithfield to the edge of the James River, where they board the Jamestown/Scotland Ferry and enjoy a lunch break as they cross the river over to Williamsburg. Day one ends just outside downtown Richmond. Day two begins with a steep climb up to the State Capitol. Along the route, periodic stops are made at some of the sites where Virginia officers have been killed in the line of duty. Riders continue heading north on Route 1 from Richmond to Fredericksburg (60 miles). An overnight stay in Fredericksburg leaves the riders with approximately 60 miles remaining to the Memorial grounds. Federal, state and local law enforcement officers nationwide, travel to Virginia to take part in the annual event . In 2004, over 250 riders rode in the Virginia Chapter Tour. For 2005, we are maxed out at 300 riders and 50 support team members. The eagerness to take part keeps growing.
The Police Unity Tour:
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial's mission includes:
· Seeing law enforcement fatalities dramatically decrease as a result of our work.
Corporate Sponsorship ($1250)
In appreciation of those individual and businesses that provide us with substantial financial support the Police Unity Tour will:
Police Unity Tour:
Sponsorship
Sponsor’s Name:_____________________________
Address:___________________________________
City:_______________ State:_______ Zip :_______
Phone:_____________________________________
Email:_____________________________________
Sponsored Rider/Agent
_John Mosley_______________________
Please make checks payable to:
Police Unity Tour
PO Box 2299
Wilkes-Barre , PA 18703
Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. Tax I.D. #20-4003246
For additional information contact:
Jeffery C. Whitson, President
Police Unity Tour - Virginia , Chapter IV
Telephone: 757-235-5657 or 757-449-6857 Or visit: www.policeunitytour.org
The Memorial
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial (N.L.E.O.M) was dedicated in 1991 by President George Bush. It honors all of America ’s federal, state, and local law enforcers. Inscribed on the Memorial’s blue-gray marble walls are the names of more than 16,000 officers who have been killed in the line of duty, dating back to the first known death in 1792. The Memorial is located on E Street, between 4th & 5th Streets, NW, in Washington D.C.
The Museum
Plans are now underway to establish the National Law Enforcement Officers Museum. In 2000, Congress approved legislation authorizing the NLEOMF to build the most comprehensive law enforcement museum and research facility found anywhere in the world. The museum is expected to include more than 50,000 square feet of mostly underground space, and cost about $25 million. Ground cannot be broken on the museum until a design is approved and all of the funding is in place, a process that is expected to take at least five years. With its location directly across from the Memorial, the Museum and the accompanying research repository will become the premiere source of information on issues related to law enforcement history and safety.
The Officers
On average, one law enforcement officer is killed somewhere in America nearly every other day. More than 62,000 officers are assaulted each year and about 21,000 are injured. Today, some 740,000 sworn officers put their lives on the line to “protect and serve” each and every day. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is a tribute to their service and sacrifice.
Information provided by the N.L.E.O.M.F.
Police Unity Tour
“ We Ride For Our Brother,
Fallen Officer Rodney F Pocceschi
(End of Watch 6/23/03 )”
Recipient of the
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund’s 2003 Distinguished Service Award
