Distinguished Service Award Recipient 2003

Police Unity Tour

Police Unity Tour

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) presented its top annual award, the 2003 Distinguished Service Award, to the Police Unity Tour for their dedication and support of the Memorial.

The Distinguished Service Award is presented each year during the Memorial’s Candlelight Vigil on May 13th to an individual or organization that has made a lasting contribution to the law enforcement profession and to the Memorial Cause.

The Police Unity Tour was founded by a group of dedicated police officers who wanted to help raise money and public awareness for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Under the guidance of their founder and president, Sergeant Pat Montuore of the Florham Park, New Jersey Police Department, and their executive director, Harry Phillips, the officers made the first of many bicycle trips from New Jersey to Washington, D.C. in 1997. There were 18 bicyclists that first year, and together they were able to raise $18,000 for the Memorial Fund. Over the years, more officers from many other departments and states have joined the Police Unity Tour. 2003 was the most successful ride yet. Approximately 350 police officers from seven states-California, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Virginia-were able to bike as far as 600 miles and raise $350,000 for the Memorial Fund.

Memorial CEO Craig W. Floyd said, “But even more important than the financial support they give is that the Police Unity Tour is a personal and heartfelt tribute to our fallen officers from those who continue to follow in their footsteps,” Mr. Floyd observed.