Police Gear Up for Sixth Police Unity Tour

For the sixth year in a row, members of the will take part in the Police Unity Tour, a national effort to honor fellow officers who died in the line of duty.

On May 9, hundreds of law enforcement officers fom across the nation and even overseas will ride bicycles from East Hanover to Washington, D.C.--that's more than 300 miles over three days--to raise money to remember fallen colleagues and to help the families they left behind. 

The tour itself was founded in 1997 in Florham Park, said Deputy Police Chief Paul Philipps, a veteran participant. 

Last year, the tour raised more than $1.5 million for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. In total, nearly $10 million has been collected through the Police Unity Tour.

The PPD will be represented by eight bicyclists: Deputy Chief Philipps, Lt. Keith Lefferts, Officer Michael Ruggier, Det. Daniel Cicala, Officer Gianni Cacioppo, Officer Jason Lubeck (the team's unofficial captain), Officer Damon Farms, Officer Michael Sprung and, the newbie, Sgt.  Richard Davis. Two team members will be involved in a support capacity: Capt. Edward Jasiecki and Sgt. Richard Scrivani.

The Parsippany team, along with representatives of the Mountain Lakes Police and the FBI, gathered at the Feb. 28 for a fundraiser, in which a portion of diners' dinner checks went to the team's effort.

In order to qualify for the event, each team member, be they a rider or support person, must raise at least $1,750 for the cause. Much of the money raised goes toward building a National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial and Museum in Washington.

"The 300-plus mile bicycle ride is easy compared to raising the money," said Deputy Chief Philipps.

To support the cause, send a check payable to “Police Unity Tour” to the Parsippany Police Department at 3339 Route 46, Parsippany, NJ 07054. On the envelope, be sure to include "Attention: Deputy Chief P. Philipps."

If you had the chance to thank a police officer for his or her service to the community, what would you say?