The 21st annual Police Unity Tour Arrival Ceremony took place on May 12th, 2018 at the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial. What started as an 18 person ride in 1997 has grown into an astounding 2,500 person-strong event. National Police Support Fund was honored to share in the culminating event in the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial and Museum as the riders finished the Unity Tour.
The Police Unity Tour’s motto is: “WE RIDE FOR THOSE WHO DIED.” And looking around the Memorial after the Unity Tour had come to an end, it was clear that everyone was there for a greater purpose. Riders and their teammates stood by the wall, visiting the names of their fellow officers that had lost their life. A wife and daughter of a fallen officer sat next to his name on the wall. The emotion was palpable and undeniable. Mothers, children, siblings, friends all came by to pay their respects to those they had lost. This was their tribute to those that had made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. “We will not forget,” said one of the speakers on stage.
And we will not forget, either. One of the riders said to us, “This is one of the only memorials in Washington DC that keeps growing.” Names are going to continue to be etched into this memorial as officers continue to put on their badges every day and serve their communities and our country.
So we asked some of the participants of the Unity Tour: “Why do YOU ride?” to learn more about the stories and motivations behind each person’s commitment to the Police Unity Tour.
Here’s what they said:
The Police Unity Tour is dedicated to to raising awareness of Law Enforcement Officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, as well as raising money for the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial and Museum. For more information about Police Unity Tour, click here.
