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, 2015. Five officers will participate in this year’s ride. Capt. Guy Patterson and Detective Derek Farbanec will be joined for portions of the ride by first year rider, Officer Joseph Stulpin. Officer Thomas Stiansen and Officer Matthew Siessel will provide support for the three riders along their 300 mile trip. They will depart New Jersey on May 9, 2015.
The Police Unity Tour was organized in May 1997 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 eight 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 and Officer Stulpin participated in the May 2014 event which resulted in over 1.9 Million Dollars being donated to the NLEOMF, bringing total donations to the fund since inception to nearly 16 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 2015 ride. The officers would like to thank Barry O’Donovan and Kilkenny House, G. DeLuca and Sons Masonry, Dottie Baniewicz and Barbara Bilger of the Cranford Chamber of Commerce, Mr. J’s Deli, Dreyer’s Farm, NJ Wine Seller.Com, Rock n Joe, Scaturro’s Pizzeria and Café, Dellavecchia Group LLC, Mountainside PBA # 126, Cranford Jaycees, Cranford PBA Local # 52 and the Cranford PAL for their support.
According to Capt. Patterson, the continued participation of the Cranford Police Department in the Police Unity Tour is great both for the Cranford Police Department and the Police Unity Tour. “Since first completing the Unity Tour in 2012, I have encouraged other officers to become involved. The experience of riding over those four days to honor the officers who have died in the line of duty and their surviving family members is unforgettable. The Police Unity Tour is a great organization. I know all the officers participating this year will share that same feeling when we arrive in D.C.” Cranford Police Chief James Wozniak commends his officers’ participation in the Police Unity Tour. “Last year I met our officers as they arrived at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The smiles on their faces said it all. They put in days of hard work and couldn’t be happier doing it. Our officers are great representatives of our Town and of our profession.”
Donation Website
Team Cranford
https://secure.policeunitytour.com/registrant/TeamFundraisingPage.aspx?teamID=610342&langPref=en-CA#&panel1-1
Mail Address for General Donations:
Police Unity Tour Chapter I
P.O Box 528
Florham Park, New Jersey 07932
Submitted by Detective Sergeant Gerard Quinn, 908-709-7337
