Police Unity Tour Begins Wednesday

The annual Police Unity Tour begins its first leg Wednesday morning, and will ride through downtown Madison and .

Main Street will be closed to traffic as the tour comes through Wednesday morning, and motorists should expect delays.

The Police Unity Tour is a four-day bicycle ride from New Jersey to Washington, D.C. to raise awareness of the law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. Funds raised from the tour support the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial and Museum in the nation's capitol.

Two officers from the will ride in the tour this year. Sgt. Daniel Papa will ride in honor of Sgt. James Chapin of Chattanooga, Tenn., who died on April 2, 2011 from a gunshot wound he received at the scene of an armed robbery. Chapin was a 27-year veteran of the police department and was survived by his wife and two children.

When he arrives in D.C., Papa will meet Chapin's family members and escort them to the candlelight vigil on May 13.

Patrolman David Schaffer will provide logistic support to those riding in the tour.

This will be Papa's sixth straight year and Schaffer's fifth straight year participating in the tour.

Along with officers riding in honor of those killed in the line of duty, a cadre of logistical supporters also travel along the tour. These people offer water, medical attention to the bikers along the journey.

Every officer who rides in the event must raise $1,750 to offset trip expenses. Lt. Steven Hennelly of the township police department said Schaffer and Papa "were able to meet and exceed their fund raising goals for the 2012 Police Unity Tour," thanks to donations and support from local residents and businesses.

to see coverage of the 2011 Police Unity Tour by Chatham Patch.