Local Life

Scene Around: Honoring Unity Touring Fair Haven Police of the Past & Present

They ride roughly 300 miles for those who died. They are Fair Haven’s finest — a present police corporal and a former chief.

They are current Cpl. John Waltz and former Chief Darryl Breckenridge, now Monmouth County undersheriff. Both have ridden in the Police Unity Tour for many years. There have been times when either has ridden for a particular fallen officer. Waltz said this year he “didn’t ride for any particular officer … I haven’t in a couple years.”

Waltz was the only Fair Haven officer to ride this year. His family met him in D.C. for some cheering on and the culminating National Police Week kick off events, including the final, the candlelight vigil. His oldest son, Carter, dressed for the Unity Tour occasion, and, it turns out, he’s taller than Dad. “Yes he got really big,” Waltz said. “He’s taller than me and, yes, just supporting his father and the organization.”

There’s another bit of triumphant news as of the culmination of the ride. Many in the area and beyond were very supportive of Waltz’s family and his younger son Brady in his fight to overcome cancer. Brady is doing well and was at the end of the ride with Dad and a full head of hair and good health. “Brady is doing really well,” Waltz said. “(He) responded so well to treatment and is counting to kick cancers ass.”

Excellent!

As for former longtime Fair Havenite and police chief, Darryl Breckenridge, he completed the ride as present undersheriff with the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office.

That’s Fair Haven’s past and present representing at the tour.

About the Unity Tour …

The Police Unity Tour’s mission since its inception in May of 1997 is to raise awareness of Law Enforcement Officers who have died in the line of duty, paying special homage to their sacrifices. The first ride raised $18,000.

The ride also serves to raise funds for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum.

Police officers from all over ride bicycles and motorcycles from New Jersey to Washington D.C., a roughly 300-mile journey in honor of those officers who died in the line of duty.

Donations in the past 25 years have risen to more than $30 million.

— Photos/Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office and Amy Finn Waltz

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