Howell Officers Part Of Police Unity Tour Ride To Washington, DC

HOWELL, NJ — Township police officers joined those throughout Monmouth County in the Police Unity Tour, which took off from Belmar Tuesday morning.

More than 500 police officers and other members of law enforcement got on their bicycles and began the ride from Belmar. They will end the journey in Washington, D.C.

The Howell police Facebook page has been giving updates of the trip this week.

"First day was 80 miles, second day was 63 miles and today is 80 miles... Delaware to Annapolis, Maryland. Detective Corporal Rob Ortenzi on the grill making sure the riders are fueled up properly. Great job by all. Safe travels," a recent post read.

The four days of cycling will end at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, with stops along the way, including one in Atlantic City, to honor and remember fallen police officers.

This May, the ride is especially poignant as South Jersey Police Officer Robert "Bobby" Shisler just died this past weekend, after he was shot March 10 during an on-duty altercation with a civilian. The civilian also died.

Shisler had been fighting for his life for the past two months — and the close-knit Deptford community rallied around him as he fought to recover — but he succumbed to his fatal gunshot wounds on May 7. Shisler will be buried in a large police funeral May 17 at Rowan University’s Pfleeger Concert Hall in Glassboro, an 800-seat venue.

“Our men and women in blue ride in honor of all the fallen officers, but this year especially for Deptford Police Officer Bobby Shisler," said Benjamin Lucarelli, president of the 200 Club of Monmouth County. "He will always be remembered for his sacrifice and service."