OCEAN COUNTY – Hundreds of police officers rode their bicycles on a four-day journey to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. to remember their brothers and sisters who are no longer with them.
Lt. Nicholas Szymanski of the Marlboro Township Police Department is the national delegate for the Police Unity Tour for Section 10, which includes areas of central New Jersey. He estimated that they had about 400 bicyclists from his section alone, joined by another hundred support crew members.
They rode in remembrance of officers who were lost on duty. One of them was from 50 years ago. Manchester Patrolman Robert Tobias was struck and killed by a vehicle while performing a traffic stop on Route 70 on May 17, 1975. The 23-year-old had only been an officer for one year. According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, the driver who struck him received several charges, including being in possession of a controlled substance.
Tobias’ brother, sister and great-nephews took part in the tour, Szymanski said.
Another fallen hero that the officers rode for was Detective Scott Stephens of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. While on an undercover assignment, he lost control of his vehicle and died in a crash on January 21, 2015.
Waretown Patrolman John Scott Stevens rode in memory of his father, Waretown Police reported.
These are just a few of the officers that were on the minds and in the hearts of the riders during the four-day journey.
Although these are all sad stories, “these are all good reasons why we do what we do,” Szymanski said.
The ride itself had great weather. Between this and the camaraderie, the miles went by smoothly.
“When you ride next to a survivor, and you talk to them, it puts things in perspective,” he said. “They wish (their loved one) was here with us.”
Szymanski was asked what he wanted the public to know about the ride. He said “I really wish they knew who we were riding for. These families have faces and names but they are no longer here.”
There’s always a chance that police officers won’t come home, because it’s a dangerous job. That knowledge is always in the back of the mind, but to actually see the pictures of the officers, and read their names and hear their stories, you understand what sacrifice is all about.
How To Help
The best way to support the tour is financially. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. is a huge undertaking and is growing all the time.
There are 340 names there now, and there are always more to be added. “We’re the only memorial that has no end in sight,” Szymanski said.
Visit policeunitytour.com to donate and learn more.
