POLICE UNITY TOUR 2021 – “WE RIDE FOR THOSE WHO DIED”
Rochester-Area Bicycle Team to Ride to National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C. in Honor of MCSO’s Bicentennial – Paying Tribute to 11 Fallen Deputies
Rochester, NY (October 8, 2021) – On Saturday, October 9th, 2021, four members of the Rochester-Area Bicycle Team will depart from Rochester, NY and ride to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C. as part of the Police Unity Tour 2021. This year’s ride is in honor of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Bicentennial and pays tribute to the 11 fallen deputies who have died in the line of duty since MCSO’s founding in 1821. Each bicyclist will wear memorial bracelets during the ride, honoring the memory of each of the MCSO fallen.
In 2021, the names of 394 officers killed in the line of duty were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The number reflects 295 officers who died in the line of duty in 2020, as well as 99 officers who died previously, but whose stories of sacrifice had been lost to history until now.
“It is important that the names of the fallen, especially those who served the County of Monroe, are never forgotten,” said Monroe County Sheriff Todd K. Baxter. “We will always remember the sacrifices of our 11 members and the vow these public servants lived out, to serve and protect our community. Lest we forget.”
The Police Unity Tour typically takes place during Police Week in May, however due to the Coronavirus pandemic, this year’s ride was postponed until October. The first Police Unity Tour was organized in May 1997 with the intent to bring public awareness to law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty and to honor their sacrifices. The Tour started with just 18 riders on a four-day fundraising bike ride from Florham Park, N.J. (just outside New York City) to Washington, D.C., raising $18,000 for the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. While the same mission holds true today, the ride has grown to exceed 2,600 riders nationwide who pedal to our nation’s Capital. In May 2020, the Police Unity Tour was proud to donate more than $2 million to the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, bringing total donations to more than $30 million since its inception.
About the Riders:
- Rochester Police Department Retired Capt. Lynde Johnston
- Rochester Police Department Retired Lt. Cheryl Fridley
- Rochester Police Department Officer Adam Johnston
- Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Retired Deputy Liz Gudonis
~ In Memory of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputies Who Died in the Line of Duty ~
| Rank | Name | End of Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Deputy Sheriff | Simon J. Bermingham | 01/10/12 |
| Special Deputy | C. Fred Sova | 09/08/31 |
| Special Deputy | Joseph G. Munz | 02/26/32 |
| Deputy Sheriff | William Marshall | 04/03/46 |
| Deputy Sheriff | James I. Conheady | 03/25/47 |
| Deputy Sheriff | John Pullano | 05/16/57 |
| Undersheriff | George A. Conway | 08/13/65 |
| Deputy Sheriff | Francis E. Dombrowski | 02/06/70 |
| Sergeant | Robert M. Skelton, Jr. | 06/23/72 |
| Sergeant | Peter J. Rotolo | 09/20/74 |
| Corporal | Catherine M. Crawford | 03/05/95 |