Bergenfield Police Department riders, motors and support personnel for the 2012 Police Unity Tour, along with the more than 1,500 other participants, arrived at the National Police Memorial in Washington, D.C. around 3:15 p.m. today, Saturday, May 12. The tour raised more than $1.65 million in total for the memorial. The Bergenfield Police Department is very proud of all 11 of its participants and wishes them a safe journey home. "We Ride For Those Who Died."
Chronological order of 2012 Police Unity Tour
Wednesday, May 9
Eleven police officers from the department are participating in the 2012 Police Unity Tour, which left today from East Hanover, NJ. There are a total of seven bike riders (riders), two motorcycle officers (motors) and two support personnel. Riders are: Sgt. Scott Macfie, Sgt. Mustafa Rabboh, Lt. Cathy Madalone, PO Pete McCarthy, PO Tom Miller, PO Mike Dymek, and PO Kyle Witty. Motors are: Sgt. Bryan Dalton and Det. Billy Duran. Support personnel are: Retired Sgt. John Casper and PO Nic Deleon.
The tour began in East Hanover at the Ramada Inn/Target store parking lot on Route 10 today at 9 a.m. with approx. 700 bikes, 40 motorcycles, and numerous support vehicles.
Today's ride went 53 miles into Edison, NJ. The four-day trek to Washington, DC for the start of Police Memorial Week will also include rides of 90+ miles on Thursday and Friday and will conclude with an approx. 45-mile ride into Washington, DC on Saturday. The officers will participate in the candlelight vigil held at the National Law Enforcement Memorial on Sunday, May 13.
The officers riding raised monies for donation towards the memorial, which is handled through the Police Unity Tour organization. For more information on the Police Unity Tour, visit http://policeunitytour.com/. Continue to check back for more updates on this year's ride.
Thursday, May 10
Day two of the Unity Tour brought riders to Wilmington, Delaware, after a 92-mile ride from Edison. All the Bergenfield PD cycling participants are said to be in good shape, except for a little soreness in their muscles and other areas. The motor officers were busy keeping the riders safe by blocking traffic at intersections and other roadways while the 800+ cyclists maintained their pace in their continuing quest to reach the police memorial in Washington, DC. Support officers Deleon and Casper were at their best making sure all equipment, refreshments, and repair parts for the bikes were ready. Good luck to all. You can do it Moose!
Friday, May 11
Bergenfield PD riders, motors, and support officers have reached day three's intended destination: Annapolis, Maryland. After 94 miles of biking from Wilmington, Delaware all are enjoying a little early celebrating before tomorrow's final leg of the journey into Washington, D.C. Everyone is in good shape so far. Just another 45 miles on Saturday and the 11 BPD members, along with 1,500 other law enforcement officers on bicycles, motorcycles, or in support vehicles, will enter the National Police Memorial site greeted by crowds of supporters, family members, and dignitaries for the ceremonial presentation of this year's donation to be put toward the memorial. Good job by everyone. One more day. Be safe.
Saturday, May 12
The Unity Tour left Annapolis at 9 a.m. and headed towards D.C. The trip is 45 miles (approximately) and the group stops for two breaks. One is the usual rest after about 20-25 miles of pedaling by the riders and traffic control by the motors. Support personnel prepare for those final fixes to get the participants to their destination. The last rest is just outside D.C. in the RFK Stadium parking lot where Unity Tour Members all converge before the slow, two by two, pedal into the memorial site. At RFK all the Unity Tour Chapters meet as one: Chapter I, Northern New Jersey, Chapter II, Southern New Jersey, Chapter IV, Virginia, Chapter VII, Southern California, Chapter VIII, Florida, Chapter IX, Delaware, Chapter XIII, Northern California, Chapter 37, New York. In addition to the chapters arrival, the members await the arrival of the “Challenge” riders that left Somerset, New Jersey, on May 10, taking another route, pedaling more miles each day. Once all arrived, the tour made its way into D.C.