Scene Around: Rumson, Fair Haven Cops Ride for Those Who Died

They’re riding for those who died.

Thursday marked the start of the Police Unity Tour. The tour, trumpeting the motto, “We Ride for Those Who Died,” takes hundreds of current and retired police officers from all over New Jersey on a bicycle ride to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington DC in honor of fallen law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. Each cycling officer rides in memory of a particular fallen one. Each year, the officers embark on the tour from a different Jersey spot. This year, they left from Mercer County.

Riding from Rumson and Fair Haven police departments are: Rumson Patrolman Stephanie Lehner; Fair Haven retired Cpl. John Waltz, who has participated for many years, and Patrolman Brooks Robinson.

Lehner, Rumson police announced, is on her fourth consecutive tour, riding to honor the memory of Wisconsin Sheriff’s Office Deputy Kaitie Leising, who was shot and killed in the line of duty at age 29 on May 6, 2023.

At the end of the tour, when the officers reach the DC destination on May 13, Lehner “will meet Deputy Leising’s family and escort them to the annual candlelight vigil at the National Law Enforcement Memorial,” Rumson police announced. “Please join Police Chief Robert Boyer and the entire Rumson Police Department in wishing Stephanie good luck with this year’s ride.”