Beginning Thursday, May 10, two Princeton Township police officers will take part in the Police Unity Tour, which honors police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Departing from Somerset, Sergeant Geoff Maurer and Patrolman Chris King will ride to Philadelphia. The following day, they will ride to Baltimore. On day three, they will cycle from Baltimore to Washington, D.C., arriving by 1 p.m. at the Law Enforcement Memorial.

The motto of the Police Unity Tour is, “We ride for those who died. Each year, during Police Week, officers from all over the country participate in bicycle rides to Washington, D.C. to promote awareness, honor and remember their fallen comrades, and raise money for the Police Museum which is being built in the capital city. So far in 2012, 36 law enforcement officers have lost their lives in the line of duty, down from 163 in 2011.

This year marks the last of the Princeton Township Police Department, which will be consolidated as of January 1, 2013, with Princeton Borough’s department. Officer Maurer will be riding to honor the memory of Princeton Township Police Officer Billie Ellis, who died on August, 19, 1955. Officer Ellis drowned while attempting to rescue two young boys whose canoe became swamped in Lake Carnegie following a period of heavy flooding as a result of Hurricane Diane. The high water caused both boats to become swamped. Officer Ellis and both boys drowned. Officer Ellis was off duty at the time but responded to the scene to rescue the boys.

Officer King will be riding to honor the memory of N.J. State Police Trooper Anthony Lukis, Jr. who was shot to death on May 4, 1966 when he stopped to check on a car parked along the New Jersey Turnpike. After a struggle, Trooper Lukis was shot three times in the back, which killed him.

Officers King and Maurer will be participating in the “Challenge Ride” which leaves from Franklin Township Police headquarters in Somerset County. The first day of their ride takes them on Route 518 through Franklin, Montgomery, out to Lambertville to their first day destination of Philadelphia; a bike ride of approximately 70 miles. Day two is from Philadelphia to Baltimore, a ride of over 100 miles. Day three is approximately 48 miles from Baltimore to Washington, where they will meet up with officers from other groups who will all ride into the Law Enforcement Memorial site together.

Each officer needed to raise a minimum of $1,800 to participate. Anyone wishing to make a donation in honor of fallen law enforcement officers or to support the Police Unity Tour can write a check to PBA 387 and on the memo portion write Police Unity Tour; the checks can be mailed to PBA 387, 1 Valley Road, Princeton, New Jersey, 08540.