By Charly SHELTON

It has been 20 years since the Glendale Police Dept. has experienced a death in the line of duty. In May 1997, Investigator Charles Lazzaretto was killed on the job and his name inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. Each year, the names of fallen officers are inscribed on the wall and a vigil is held for the families of the officers who died in the current year, as well as all previous years. This evolved over time into a large ride of remembrance, and now the Police Unity Tour is an annual tradition.

GPD Sgt. Robert William is one of 12 cyclists who comprise the Glendale Police Unity Tour Team, riding along with four GPD motor officers as escort. Teams from around the country come together to make up different sections and groups who ride together. The Glendale team is part of Chapter 37, which is anchored by the New York Port Authority, the branch that suffered the most causalities during the 9/11 attack.

“We ride with them every year. It’s a 300-mile ride – not a race, just a memorial ride,” Sgt. William said in a phone interview from the course at the end of day one. “We kicked off at Ground Zero with some ceremonies and some speeches from city officials. And then our journey began, there at Ground Zero, and we ended [our first day’s ride] in New Jersey.”

The four-day ride began on Tuesday, May 9, starting from New York and traveling down to Washington, D.C. arriving on Friday, in time for a bit of rest before the annual vigil, to be held on Saturday.

Among the riders on the team are two members of Inspector Lazzaretto’s family – Dominic Lazzaretto and Officer Andrew Lazzaretto of the GPD. They, and the team, ride in remembrance of their fallen comrades and also in memory of his father, Andy, who passed away last year.

“The most important thing is to bring awareness of all the officers who are killed over the years, and each year. What’s really unique about this memorial wall is that it’s not complete, unlike any other memorial wall,” Sgt. William said. “And every year, more and more names are added, unfortunately, on that wall. It’s just a [respectful] way to bring awareness and pay tribute to the surviving families that go there every year during this week. It’s National Police Week in Washington, D.C. and Saturday night is the large vigil.”

The team ended night one in New Jersey, then moved on to Delaware night two, and will stop in Maryland on night three before ending in Washington, D.C. on Friday, greeted by the families gathered for the vigil. All along the way, the residents of towns have come out to show their support, with high school bands playing encouraging songs and bystanders waving and screaming with positivity.

  Charly Shelton, Sgt. Robert WILLIAM