Cranford Police officers will once again represent the township’s police force on the upcoming Police Unity Tour bicycle ride to honor the sacrifices of police officers killed in the line of duty.
Officers from around the United States will converge on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C. on May 12, 2016.
Five officers - Capt. Guy Patterson, Detective Derek Farbanec, Detective Joseph Stulpin, Officer Daniel Donnerstag and Officer Matthew Siessel will participate in this year’s 300 mile trip which will depart New Jersey on May 9, 2016.
This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the Police Unity Tour. The Police Unity Tour was started by Chief Patrick P. Montuore of the Florham Park Police Department, with the hope of bringing public awareness of Police Officers who died in the line of duty and to honor their sacrifices. The first event included 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. Over time, the event has grown to encompass nine chapter organizations consisting of nearly 1800 members nationwide. In addition to officers representing 40 different states, participants have traveled to the event from Australia, Canada, England, India, Israel and Italy.
Through obtaining sponsorship and donations, officers participating in the Police Unity Tour raise funds that are donated to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF). Captain Patterson, Detective Farbanec Detective Stulpin, Officer Siessel and Officer Thomas Stiansen participated in the May 2015 event which resulted in over 1.99 Million Dollars being donated to the NLEOMF, bringing total donations to the fund since inception to nearly 18 Million Dollars.
All five Cranford Officers have committed to raising over $2000.00 each through their participation in the tour. With the help of local businesses and organizations they are off to a great start for the 2016 ride.
According to Capt. Patterson, participating in the Police Unity Tour is a great way to raise awareness for the officers who have died in the line of duty and their families. “As we ride towards DC, we’re escorted by police motorcycles the entire way.
Anyone who sees the line of bicycles passing by is taken aback by the amount of officers making the ride. Our chapter is just one of nine converging on DC and we’re over 400 riders strong. Everywhere we pass we leave quite an impression.” Cranford Police Chief James Wozniak is a strong supporter of his officers’ participation in the Police Unity Tour. “These officers spend a great deal of time training and raising money for this great cause.
They are great representatives of Cranford and the Cranford Police Department. I’m proud to have them wearing the Cranford Police Department patch as they arrive at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. ”
If you are interested in making a donation for Team Cranford, visit: https://secure.policeunitytour.com/registrant/TeamFundraisingPage.aspx?teamID=664777&langPref=en-CA