Berkeley Police Embark On 300+ Mile Bike Ride For Awareness

BERKELEY, NJ — Several Berkeley police officers kicked off a more than 300 mile long bike ride on Tuesday to raise awareness for those killed in the line of duty.

The Police Unity Tour is an annual event where officers nationwide ride in honor of police who died in the line of duty and to ensure that they are never forgotten.

This challenging journey ends at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. The ride also raises funds for said memorial, and has raised more than $33 million since its inception, according to the Police Unity Tour website.

It runs from May 9 through 13, during National Police Week.

This year, 556 new names will be added to the memorial during a candlelight vigil on May 13 in D.C. An estimated 30,000 people attend this vigil each year.

“This year, the names of 556 fallen officers will be added to the Memorial. 556 lives cut short as they risked their lives, working to make things safer for the community and people that they served,” said Marcia Ferranto, CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. “It’s a solemn reminder to the nation that each day is fragile. Not a moment goes by where we forget our brave men and women in blue for the ultimate sacrifice they have given. Their memory lives on.”