Police Unity Tour: L.A. Deputies bicycle to Washington DC in national law enforcement event

The Police Unity Tour’s motto, “We ride for those who died,” is just that: Law enforcement personnel joining together to complete a bicycle tour while raising awareness for their professional brothers and sisters who died in the line of duty. The event also serves as the largest fundraiser for the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial and Museum, located in Washington, D.C.

Last year, nearly 1,700 members nationwide participated in the Unity Tour raising more than $1.72 million, which was donated to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. To date, donations total nearly $14 million.

This year, 12 deputies and one civilian from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will participate in the event as part of 200 riders from the Police Unity Tour – Southern California Chapter.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Team participants are:
o Team Captain, Deputy Joseph Rosalez, assigned to Training Bureau
o Reserve Deputy Jacob Castroll, assigned to Malibu Station
o Deputy Pedro Echeverria, assigned to Parks Bureau
o Deputy Craig Hathaway, assigned to Norwalk Superior Court
o Deputy Michael Herrera, assigned to Lakewood Station
o Deputy Humberto Inzunza, assigned to San Dimas Station
o Sergeant Jeffrey Ivask, assigned to Homeland Security
o Sergeant Michael Kelleher, assigned to HazMat Detail
o Stationary Engineer II Joey Manalaysay, assigned to Facilities Services Bureau
o Deputy Timothy Nancarrow, assigned to Marina Del Rey Station
o Deputy Yvette Ortega, assigned to the Inmate Reception Center
o Detective Brian Villa, assigned to the Taskforce for Regional Autotheft Prevention
o Sergeant Steve Wyatt, assigned to the Men’s Central Jail
o Chief Warren Asmus from Court Services Division will attend the events in Washington, D.C., from May 12th to 16th on behalf of Sheriff Scott.

The riders will fly with their equipment and begin their journey on May 10, 2014, in Somerset, New Jersey. They will bicycle 250 miles over the course of three days through Philadelphia and Baltimore, and complete their circuit in Washington D.C. They will pedal alongside other law enforcement officers from other Police Unity Tour Chapters located across the United States and join together in Washington D.C. on May 12, for the start of National Police Week. There, they will attend a night vigil at the Memorial and a national ceremony at Capitol Hill.

Each rider must raise $1,850 in order to participate in the Police Unity Tour. This money includes a $1,000 donation to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and $850 to cover support services, ground transportation, overnight lodging, and food during the ride. Riders must purchase their own transportation to and from the event.

Donations to the Police Unity Tour are tax deductible (Tax ID# 22-3530541). If you would like to donate to the Policy Unity Tour please make your checks payable to:

Southern California Chapter
21143 Hawthorne Boulevard, #293
Torrance, California 90503

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