PHOTOS & VIDEO [UPDATED 2:45PM] Despite the rainy weather, eleven Lakewood Police officers joined over 150 others currently in the Police Unity Tour, honoring the Law Enforcement Officers who died in the line of duty.

The 150 mile bike tour began in Howell and will end in Washington D.C.

The tour will also raise funds for the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial and Museum.

At about 9:30 AM, the group gathered in the Municipal Auditorium for a brief ceremony, honoring Lakewood Officer Chris Matlosz.

Police Chief Rob Lawson said it was just four years ago that they honored another Lakewood officer, William Preslar, 270, who also died in the line of duty.

The Chief said although the weather is making it a difficult ride, “It’s a solemn occasion” which the officers set out for, and the rain made it all more appropriate.

At the event, the family of Officer Preslar and the Fiancee of Chris Matlosz were honored.

Following the event at the Auditorium, the riders continued on to the site of William Preslar’s memorial on Lakewood New Egypt Road, and then set out for the long journey to Washington D.C. TLS.

From the Police Unity Tour:

In May 1997 the Police Unity Tour was organized, by Officer Patrick P. Montuore of the Florham Park Police Department, with the hope of bringing public awareness of Police Officers who have died in the line of duty and to honor their sacrifices.

We started with 18 riders on a four day fund-raising bicycle ride from Florham Park, NJ to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. which raised $18,000.00. This past May we had nearly 1400 members nationwide who made the trip, and we are proud to announce that we were able to donate over 1.5 Million Dollars to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, bringing our total donations to nearly 10 Million Dollars.

In late 2005, the Police Unity Tour pledged $5 Million in support of the National Law Enforcement Museum.  Inspired by our commitment and our motto, “WE RIDE FOR THOSE WHO DIED” the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has selected our organization to be the sponsor of the Museum’s Hall of Remembrance.

Having completed the $5 Million commitment to the Museum in 2009 the Police Unity Tour dedicated the 2010 ride to the restoration of the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The $1.1 Million restoration project includes the re-engraving, coating and sealing of the 18,983 names on the memorial as well as the cleaning of the walls and other memorial improvements.

Video credits: TLS/MOFOTO/Yaakov Glucksman/Jay H.

Passing through Bayville. Photo credits: Sherry Kriss-Dillane