People lucky enough to be able to count a law enforcement officer among their friends or relatives know that above all else, members of the police force are a family.

Whether they hail from a small town in Texas or a bustling metropolitan center in New Jersey, whether they’ve ever actually met or not, policemen from all over the country share a strong bond that stems from their shared commitment to keeping the public safe – and their willingness to risk their own lives every day to do so.

It’s that same family spirit that inspired Police Chief Patrick Montuore to create the Police Unity Tour back in 1997 – and that has seen the event grow from its humble beginnings with just 18 officers taking part, to this weekend’s 1,800 participants.

The Police Unity Tour’s motto is “We Ride For Those Who Died.” Participants in this 4-day event ride their bicycles about 70 miles each day, for a total of 300 miles, in order to raise money for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, and honor their fallen brothers and sisters.

Their journey kicked off this past Saturday with excitement and camaraderie in South Jersey, and ended four days later at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum in Washington, D.C., with a somber candlelight vigil and memorial in honor of all officers who have died in the line of duty.

This year, participants were able to raise almost $2 million for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, bringing the total amount raised over the years to a stunning $16 million. But despite the impressive numbers, keeping the memory of the fallen alive is what really motivates riders to put in the extra training, strap on those bike helmets, and join the Tour. Each participant rides in honor of certain fallen officers, and wears blue metal bracelets inscribed with their heroes’ names.

KOVA was a proud sponsor of the event this year, and even prouder that our own Carri Zeck’s husband, Captain Brian Zeck of the Mullica Police Department, was able to take part in the ride – so of course, we all turned out to cheer him on. (In the picture above, from left to right, Chris Silva, KOVA’s President; CJ Silva, Vice-President; Capt. Brian Zeck; and Carri Zeck, Customer Advocate Manager.)

Captain Zeck’s police department teamed up with the Hammonton Police Department to field a total of nine riders, each of whom committed to raising $1750 through various fundraisers in the months before the Tour to honor their fallen brethren. Their slogan as they worked towards their goal? “It’s not how these officers died that made them heroes, but how they lived.”

Nothing expresses the family spirit pervading our nation’s police force better than the eagerness of officers to ride in memory of fallen brothers or sisters they may never have even met. Taking the time out from their already hectic schedules to put in the hours of training and the hours of fundraising beforehand, making the trip to New Jersey from all over the country, and then riding their bicycles for 300 miles, all to ensure that those who have died are never forgotten – and even more, that their memories are held in highest honor at the nation’s capitol. It’s that spirit of brotherhood, of loyalty – and of love – that makes our nation’s police force a true family.