2019 National Police Week – Day 1 Recap (May 12th, 2019)

National Police Support Fund is honored to partake again in National Police Week.  Up to 45,000 individuals will be visiting Washington, DC to participate in the 37th installment of this annual event. The attendees consist of uniformed officers, support staff, family members of officers, and other supporters. National Police Week is meant to honor those who have paid the ultimate price to keep their communities safe.

A cool, brisk, rainy day did not stop the enthusiasm of participants and spectators of the Police Unity Tour. The tour is a national bicycle and motorcycle ride, and their motto is “We ride for those who died.”  The participants of the Unity Tour represented various states across the country with some honoring officers who recently died in the line of duty over the past year.  The 260 mile bike ride was emotional for some of the officers who participated. A fresh wave of grief hit the riders as they paid homage and dealt with the pain of losing a fellow officer.

The cheers from spectators participating in the Unity Tour sent a message to officers that their sacrifice and service are not forgotten. Shortly after the Unity Tour concluded, many individuals walked around the perimeter of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Some individuals were looking for fallen officers from their hometowns, while other groups of officers posted a picture of a fallen comrade along the memorial.

Law Enforcement United held their annual bike ride in neighboring Alexandria, VA earlier in the day. Officers and their families were invited to Audi Field on Sunday evening to participate in D.C. United Soccer Club’s First Responder Night.  Stay tuned for the next recap of Police Week activities, coming soon.