Crime & Safety

Chatham Twp. Officers to Ride in Police Unity Tour

Officers John Rice, Dave Schaffer and Sgt. Dan Papa will depart on May 9 for Washington, DC.

Three Chatham Township police officers will head to Washington, D.C. for the annual Police Unity Tour next month.

Officers John Rice, Dave Schaffer and Sgt. Dan Papa will depart May 9 for the ride in memory of fellow officers lost in the line of duty. The four-day bicycle ride raises awareness for those officers lost and raises funds for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum.

Papa is dedicating his ride to Officer Jon Coutchie from Laguna Beach Police Department in California. Coutchie was killed in a motor vehicle crash while assisting other officers in searching for a suspect. 

Schaffer and Papa have participated in the ride for seven and eight years, respectively, while Rice is riding for the first time.

Each participant must raise $1,800 to ride. All funds raised will help offset trip expenses, with the remainder donated to the memorial and museum.

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Those who would like to donate may do so with a tax deductible check for the “Police Unity Tour” and mail it c/o Chatham Township Police Department, 401 Southern Blvd., Chatham, NJ, 07928 Attn: Unity tour riders. 

There will also be a scotch tasting fundraiser at Fairmount Country Club on April 21. For more information, email chathamriders@gmail.com.

Find out what's happening in Chathamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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