HANOVER — Hanover Township Police Department took part in the Police Unity Tour bike ride last week to honor police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. Team Hanover arrived safely in Washington, D.C., and joined thousands of other law enforcement officers at the 35th Annual Candlelight Vigil to pay tribute to their fallen colleagues.
In May 1997, the Police Unity Tour was organized by Officer Patrick P. Montuore of the Florham Park Police Department with the hope of bringing public awareness of Police Officers who have died in the line of duty and honoring their sacrifices. What started with 18 riders on a four-day fund-raising bicycle ride from Florham Park to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. has grown into nine chapters consisting of nearly 2500 members nationwide who make the trip annually.
As the original/founding chapter of the Police Unity Tour, Chapter I is still based in Florham Park where Pat Montuore retired as the Chief of Police. Although based in New Jersey, we welcome members from all other states and countries. In addition to having members representing over 40 states, we have had members from Australia, England, Israel, Italy, India, and Canada.
Our most recent ride, in May 2022, we were proud to announce that the Police Unity Tour was able to donate 2 million dollars to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, bringing our total donations to over 33 million dollars.
In late 2005, the Police Unity Tour pledged $5 Million to support the National Law Enforcement Museum. Inspired by our commitment and our motto, “WE RIDE FOR THOSE WHO DIED,” the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has selected our organization to sponsor the Museum’s Hall of Remembrance.
Having completed the $5 Million commitment to the Museum in 2009, the Police Unity Tour dedicated the 2010 ride to restoring the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The $1.1 Million restoration project includes the re-engraving, coating, and sealing of the 18,983 names on the memorial as well as the cleaning of the walls and other memorial improvements.
In 2011, the Police Unity Tour officially sponsored the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund’s “Officer of the Month Program.” Officers of the Month are honored at a special awards dinner each May in Washington, DC, during National Police Week, and they are featured in the Memorial Fund’s annual calendar.
