Police Unity Tour Fundraiser Feb. 21
One hundred fifty. That is the yearly average number. This year there were 173. Florida had 14. In Tampa Bay area over the last two years we have had nine. That is the number of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty – a number that is up 13 percent from 2010. Those numbers do not include the devastation left in the hearts and minds of shattered spouses, children, parents, loved ones, co-workers and the community they served to protect.
I have been a member of the Police Unity Tour (www.policeunitytourviii.org) for 10 years. I started with the Virginia Chapter and helped form the Florida Chapter in 2004.
The Police Unity Tour (PUT) started in 1997 in New Jersey when the work partner of a fallen officer started a memorial bicycle ride to honor his partner and all fallen law enforcement officers. The PUT raises money and awareness for the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial in Washington D.C. (www.nleomf.org), which is dedicated to honoring officers killed in the line of duty and helps their survivors in supportive ways.
The Police Unity Tour ride is every May just prior to Police Week and National Peace Officers Memorial Day. More than 2,000 law enforcement officers from all over the country will be bicycling to Washington, D.C., from various states to honor their fallen brethren. Money raised helps to feed and house the riders along their journey as well as present a large donation to the NLEOMF to support the memorial and survivors.
Two Westchase families have experienced the tragic loss of their law enforcement family member. Vineyards homeowner Brenda Marrero and her family lost Brenda's sister, Tampa Police Department Officer Lois Marrero, in a 2001 crime spree shooting in Tampa. In 2007 Harbor Links/The Estates resident Mark Ragusa and his family lost Mark's brother-in-law, Gainesville Police Department Lt. Corey Dahlem, when he was struck from behind by a drunk driver while on walking patrol.
Please join me at Burger 21 on Tuesday, Feb. 21, anytime between 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Manager Kris Eichen had chosen the Police Unity Tour as their charity of the month and will generously donate 10 percent of the proceeds that date to the Police Unity Tour.
Your presence and participation will show that you respect the work and sacrifice that our hard working law enforcement officers do every day to keep your world safe. It will honor those officers who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Bring the whole family and enjoy an outstanding burger while supporting a great cause!
By Mary Young