Police Cyclists Plan Tributes to Slain Officers May 10

CREST HAVEN — A horde of bicyclists will be on New Jersey highways this weekend headed for Washington, D.C. as part of the Police Unity Tour, Inc.
According to Detective Ed Musick of county Prosecutor’s Office, president of Chapter 2 of the group, based in Sea Isle City, over 165 bicyclists are expected “from the South,” while 500 are expected to rider “from the North,” such as Essex and Bergen counties.
Riding in his eighth year, Musick recalled when the tour started locally, there were 35 to 40 riders, so to have 165 is a heart-warming number.
On May 10, the tour, which will start in Millville, plans to make stops throughout Cape May County in memory of slain police officers.
At about 8:30 a.m., the group will stop at Becica’s Feed Store, at the site of the former Gentilini Ford, in Woodbine.
There, Woodbine’s late Police Chief Philip J. DeSantis, slain Aug. 6, 1973 will be remembered. DeSantis was killed by a man who had earlier murdered another man at a Court House gas station.
The group will travel on Route 83 to a memorial ceremony for New Jersey State Trooper Bertram Zimmerman, killed near Routes 9 and 83 while responding to an armed robbery call on Feb. 5, 2004.
From Clermont, the cyclists will continue to the Cape May County Police Academy at 11 a.m. There, in the Crest Haven Complex, they will pay tribute to all slain and fallen law enforcement officers from this county.
The 11 a.m. ceremony, open to the public, will be hosted the Cape May County Police Academy and the Cape May County Chiefs of Police.
Speakers will include U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2nd), Sen. Jeff Van Drew, Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matt Milam (all D-1st), Freeholder Director Daniel Beyel, Freeholder Vice-Director Ralph E. Sheets, Jr., Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor and Chief James Rybicki, president, CMC Chiefs of Police.
“Every one of us – regardless of our profession or station in life – recognizes that there is no greater purpose in life than serving and protecting one’s community. And there is no greater honor than having the courage to sacrifice one’s life in fulfilling this purpose,” stated Freeholder Vice-Director Ralph E. Sheets, Jr., retired Wildwood chief of police.
After a brief lunch break, the bicyclists will travel to Wildwood Crest’s Sunset Lake to honor the memory of Patrolman Eugene J. Miglio III, who died in the line of duty after a traffic stop and arrest on June 2, 1995 by Sunset Lake.
Prior to boarding the Cape May-Lewes Ferry as they head to Washington for the May 13 national memorial service that highlights National Police Week with a candlelight ceremony, the officers will stop at Douglass Park, near the ferry terminal, to honor Patrolman David Douglass, slain Feb. 18, 1994 as he responded to a report of a prowler in North Cape May.
The bicyclists plan to board the 3:30 p.m. southbound ferry.