Completing Police Unity Tour a 'Moving' Experience

Arriving at the Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington DC on Saturday was "an absolutely incredible feeling," said Chief of Police Brian Klimakowski, who completed the ride with six other township officers.

"To see so many people lining the streets, the roar of the motor units (which came from as far as the Los Angles Police Department), the sound of a bag piper and the cheers from the crowd was just incredible," he said in an email to Patch sent from the nation's capital. "It was just so moving."

Manchester's group made certain to ride past the etching on the memorial honoring Robert Tobias, a township patrolman who was killed while conducting a Route 70 traffic stop on May 17, 1975. Tobias was struck by a driver who left the roadway and was 23-years-old at the time of his death. He had been on the force for one year.

On Saturday, Unity Tour representatives presented $1.65 million to the Law Enforcement Memorial. The riders again gathered at the memorial Sunday night for a candlelight vigil to honor those lost in the line of duty. 

Riders from Chapter II of the Police Unity Tour began their trek on Wednesday, May 9, in the parking lot of the Howell Target. 

, where a presentation was made in honor of Officer Christopher Matlosz, a Manchester resident who was killed while on duty in January of 2011.

"Chris was a great officer and not only that, he was a good person and a good friend," said Lakewood Officer Lynne Miller as she presented a framed Unity Tour shirt to Christopher Matlosz' brother, Adam Matlosz.

After leaving Lakewood, where a golden flower was presented to Matlosz' fiance Kelly Walsifer, cyclists rode to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office in Toms River to honor Detective Tina Rambo, . On the way to Toms River, the riders placed flowers at the memorial for fallen Lakewood Officer William Preslar.

Riders traveled just over 74 miles on Wednesday, Klimakowski said. The first leg of the tour proved to be a wet start.

"It seemed as if every time we mounted the bikes it began to pour," Klimakowski said. 

Thursday's leg of the tour was in honor of fallen Sea Isle City Officer Mickey Cullinane, who died while attempting to rescue a man from a construction site in 1992. Riders also honored Trooper Brian Zimmerman III on the way to the Cape May Ferry to cross into Delaware.

"Obviously, the weather was much better and it was really a great day to ride," the chief said. 

Now out of the Garden State, Friday was the tour's longest day, as riders traveled over 81 miles to Annapolis, Md. 

Though Klimakowski said that the weather was "great," there was "just one problem."

"A strong headwind the entire route. It was a very grueling day with some minor climbs," he said.

Saturday, riders had a shorter ride of nearly 34 miles. They met with Chapter I of the tour — the Norther New Jersey contingent — and rode to RFK Stadium in Washington DC.

"Once at RFK, we organized and headed into the nation’s capitol with over 1,500 officers from across the country," Klimakowski said.

By 2 p.m., the riders completed their journey to the memorial. The last stretch proved to be difficult.

"It was a bit grueling with a lot of climbs," Klimakowski said. 

Making the trip to Washington DC with over 200 officers from all over the country proved to be a worthwhile endeavor for those involved.

"It is truly a memorably experience that I will never forget," the chief said.