The Linden Police Department is proud to have sent a ten member team to participate in the 18th annual Police Unity Tour on May 9th. Over this grueling 4 day event, officers from many departments will be riding bicycles from the World Trade Center Memorial to Washington D. C. as part of National Police Week.
The Police Unity Tour was established in 1997 as a way to raise awareness of Law Enforcement Officers killed in the line of duty and to raise money for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum. The officers, as a part of Team Linden, were required to raise $1850 per individual to participate in this unique event.
Team Linden is comprised of 10 members from the Linden Police Department. Lt’s Michael Babulski and Joseph Cacioppo as well as Patrolmen James Schulhafer and John Vasquez will be putting themselves through the ultimate test as they will be pedaling bicycles through four states on their way to Washington DC.
The bicyclists will be escorted by four Linden Police motor officers. Investigators Ian Conk, Peter Hammer Jr. And Mark Kahana as well as Patrolman Juan Velarde will be operating police motorcycles that will serve as escort vehicles to ensure safety to all participants in the tour.
The Linden Police will also be supplying the Unity Tour with a support vehicle and trailer which will be operated by Patrolmen Daniel Diaz and Angel Padilla. They will be following behind the tour closely and will be called upon to assist if anything unfortunate may arise while on the tour.
Team Linden’s 2015 Police Unity Tour 300+ mile adventure began Saturday, May 9th. Let’s wish them a safe and successful campaign!
Submitted by James Schulhafer
