Five Orlando police officers are participating in the Police Unity Tour, a nationwide bicycle ride fundraiser aimed at raising awareness about officers who have died in the line of duty. The funds raised go toward the construction of a National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial.
The Police Unity Tour began in Portsmouth, Virginia on Thursday and will end on Sunday at site of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington DC. It is a 250 mile bike ride.
The OPD officers participating are: Deputy Chief Carl Metzger, Lt. Christine Gigicos, Ofc. Brad Smith, Ofc. Jimmie Toler, and Ofc. Jeff Williams. Officer Jay Smith who planned on participating in the bike ride had to withdraw, due to a family emergency.
The OPD Team raised about $16,000 dollars prior to the ride for the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial.
Approximately 225 participants are representing their agencies nationwide in the Police Unity Tour.
What costs, I wonder, are associated with this event?
I don’t know… Exactly how many lives were lost in the line of duty to warrant this expense, and what value do you asses to each life? Is it more if they left a child and wife/husband behind? I’d say whatever costs are associated with it… are paid in full.