Crime & Safety
Police Unity Tour Starts First Leg through Township
Officers from around the country ride to honor fallen police men and women.
The 2012 Police Unity Tour launched the first leg of their four-day journey to Washington, D.C. Wednesday.
The tour starts each year in Florham Park and ends with a ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial and Museum.
The first tour was organized in 1997 by Florham Park Police Chief Patrick P. Montuore.
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Sgt. Daniel Papa of the rides in the tour will ride in honor of Sgt. James Chapin of Chattanooga, Tenn. Chapin died on April 2, 2011, from a gunshot wound he received at the scene of an armed robbery. Chapin, who was married with two children, was a 27-year veteran of the police department.
When he arrives in D.C., Papa will meet Chapin's family members and escort them to a candlelight vigil on Sunday.
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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.
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