Cops Across Essex County Join Bike Tour, Honor Fallen Officers

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — They’re riding to honor the memories of law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. And in Essex County, they rode strong this year.

Police from around the county participated in the 2018 Police Unity Tour this week, a bicycle event that honors deceased officers and raises funds for the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial and Museum. The Police Unity Tour will end on Saturday, May 12 at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington DC.

What’s the Police Unity Tour? According to policeunitytour.com:

“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 to honor their sacrifices. What started with 18 riders on a four day fund-raising bicycle ride from Florham Park, NJ 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.”

Check out some of the ways that Essex County’s police communities paid tribute to this year’s bike rally (see photos below).

In Newark, 19 active Newark Police Division members and four retired NPD officers kicked off the annual 320-mile bicycle ride at 22 Franklin Street. Along with Director Ambrose and Chief Henry, family members of fallen Newark Police officers were recognized, including Donna Sherbo, surviving wife of NPD Officer Dewey Sherbo III, killed in the line of duty in 1997; and Shannon Sczyrek, daughter of NPD Detective John Sczyrek, killed in the line of duty 1993. Both women are participating in the ride, which includes a family of active Newark police officers, including a mother, son and daughter. (See above photo)

A pair of detectives from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office participated in the ride this year. According to the ECPO:

• “Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Christopher DiRocco started participating in 2006. This year he will ride in memory of Trooper Michael Paul Stewart of the Pennsylvania State Police. Trooper Stewart, who was 26 years old at the time of his death, was killed when a garbage truck collided with his vehicle in Ligonier Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. He had been a Pennsylvania state trooper for three years.”
• “Joining Detective DiRocco is Detective Bryan Badim, also of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. He will be riding in memory of Polk County Georgia Police Det. Kristen Hearne, 29, who was fatally shot in the line of duty in September 2017. A wife and mother, she had been with the department for five years.”

Several members of the Bloomfield Police Department donned helmets and took to their bikes to honor the fallen.

Sgt. Ramos of the New Jersey Institute of Technology Police Department joined the 2018 tour.

Five Montclair Police Officers cycled their way to Washington DC as part of this year’s Police Unity Tour:

• Deputy Chief Tracy Frazzano (second year participating)
• Sergeant John Timchak (twelfth year)
• Officer Raymond Gulbin (first year)
• Officer Glenda Rivera (fifth year)
• Officer Jillian Sofield (third year)

This year for the Livingston Police Department, Officer Steve Guzzi rode with Det. Shumaker, Officer Howard, Officer Antunes, Officer Mullaney, and Officer Maldonado assisting in support positions.

Several Belleville officers pitched into the annual effort for 2018. "It’s an honor to ride for those Law enforcement that died in the line of duty," the Belleville Police Department wrote on social media.

Officer O’Neill of the Caldwell Police Department recently departed for the voyage. Video footage was shared by West Essex PBA Local #81.

The North Caldwell Fire Department reported that Captain Paul O'Neill, Firefighter Kevin O'Neill and Firefighter Bill Heinzelmen participated this year, with the O’Neill brothers riding bikes and Heinzelmen on a motorcycle assigned to protect the riders.

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Main Photo: Newark Police Department