In May, members of the Vallejo Police Department will be participating in the Police Unity Tour, which is a four-day fundraising bicycle ride. The primary purpose of the Police Unity Tour is to raise awareness of Law Enforcement Officers who have died in the line of duty. The secondary purpose is to raise funds for the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial and Museum. Officers from around the Nation will ride their bicycles approximately 300 miles during these four days, from New Jersey, through Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and end up at the Police Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The Vallejo Police officers, along with a retired officer from the Benicia Police Department, will be the only officers in Solano County participating. This year marks the five year anniversary that Officer James Capoot was killed in the line of duty attempting to apprehend a bank robbery suspect in Vallejo. Representing the Vallejo Police Department will be Chief Andrew Bidou, Captain John Whitney, Retired Captain James O’Connell, Sergeant Drew Ramsey, Corporal John Garcia, Corporal Bobby Herndon, Corporal Dustin Joseph, Officer Kevin Rose and Officer Mike Koutnik. Retired Officer Chris Bidou will be representing the Benicia Police Department.

Motor officers from around the Nation also participate and assist with traffic control during the ride. Lieutenant Michael Nichelini, Sergeant Steve Gordon, Corporal Jeremy Huff, Officer Jeff Tai and Officer Jim Melville from the Vallejo Police Department’s Traffic Division will participate in this year’s event.

All of the officers must raise $2,000 each in order to participate. The proceeds go to the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial and Museum in Washington D.C.

This project is not possible without the help of our community and its financial support. As such, the Front Room at the Wharf Restaurant in Vallejo is holding their 2nd Annual fundraising dinner on April 6, 2016 at 5:00 PM. The Front Room is located at 295 Mare Island Way. Tickets are $30.00 and include a buffet dinner and raffle ticket for some fabulous prizes. Unity Tour participants will be in attendance to meet with and talk about the ride. Please bring your friends and family to join us at this dinner event in support of the members of the Vallejo Police Department who will “Ride for Those Who Died.” For more information about the Front Room event and to make reservations, please contact the Front Room at (707) 649-8889 or Stephanie Boursaw at [email protected]

To make a donation to the Unity Tour, Vallejo Police Department Team, click here.

For more information about the Unity Tour and the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial and Museum please visit www.policeunitytour.com