Centreville Man to Ride Bike 220 Miles in Honor of Fallen Police Officer

Kevin Whalen thought that after riding his bike five times in the Police Unity Tour—a grueling, two day, 220-mile ride from Richmond to Washington, D.C.—that it was time to take a year off. 

But after Prince William County Officer Chris Yung died in a traffic accident while on duty Dec. 31, Whalen, a senior special agent with the Treasury Department, knew that he would ride again in the tour honoring fallen law enforcement.

"I'm 50 years old, and I can't believe I'm still going out," said Whalen, a longtime Centreville resident. 

But Yung's death was a blow. It "affected all of us, not just those who live and work in Prince William County," Whalen said. 

Whalen first started riding in the tour after Fairfax County Police Detective Vicky Armel and Officer Michael Garbarino were shot by a lone gunman outside the Sully District Police Station in Chantilly in 2006. Stunned by the deaths, he decided to ride in the tour, which benefits the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. 

Whalen never met Yung, but he does know law enforcement in Prince William County. As he trained, Whalen got to know more about Yung—who was also a big supporter of a ride similar to the Police Unity Tour, Law Enforcement United. 

"Things have been coming together, it's starting to get more emotional," Whalen said. 

Whalen is raising money to ride in the tour this May; all proceeds will go to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Funds and the National Law Enforcement Museum. Two Centreville restaurants, Coyote Grill and Glory Days Bar and Grill, have agreed to help out and host Bartenders/Family Nights. The fundraisers are set for April 16 and 25 this year; the restaurants will donate 10 percent of sales to the fund (click on the PDF files in the upper right for additional details).  

Anyone interested in making a donation can also do so online. 

Read more: 

• A Final Farewell for Officer Chris Yung
• Video: Police Unity Tour Riders Arrive in Centreville
• Centreville Man Bikes in Memory of Slain Fairfax Officers
• Centreville's Kevin Whalen Honors Fallen VT Officer