Four Plant City police officers are ready to brave 250 grueling miles of concrete for the Police Unity Tour in May 2015. But, to enter the annual bike ride, they must raise $2,000 by Nov. 1 and then an additional $6,000 by March 1, 2015. All the money they raise will funnel through the annual event to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
But, the ride also has another purpose — to honor fallen police officers, such as Arnulfo Crispin and Jeff Kocab. Crispin, who lived in Plant City from 1986 to 1995, was killed in 2011, 18 months after starting a career in law enforcement with the Lakeland Police Department.
Crispin’s brother, Frankie Crispin, who lives in Plant City, said what set Crispin apart as an officer had been his belief in Christ.
“That was one of the (things) that made him a little bit different,” Frankie Crispin said. “The value of the simple things — to be faithful and to be honest. That’s really what it was.”
Jeffrey Kocab, who worked at the Plant City Police Department before transferring to the Tampa Police Department, was killed in 2010.
“I feel like we need to give something, because tomorrow, it could happen to me,” Erick Sanchez said. “It could happen to anybody from our department.”
Sanchez is one of four members of the elite team that will head up to Portsmouth, Va., for the ride, which is planned for May 9 to 12. Officers Paul Tester, Robert Kleeman and Jason Fowler will join him on the trek. Although participants register individually for the tour, the officers have decided to fundraise as a team.
Biking is popular at the Plant City Police Department. A number of department employees get together regularly to ride. Sanchez wanted to organize a team for the Police Unity Tour and asked his fellow cycling officers whether they would want to participate. Tester, Kleeman and Fowler agreed to join him.
The team started training in July, with 30- to 40-mile rides a few times each week. But, it was not until this month that Sanchez approached Police Chief Edward Duncan about raising public awareness of the team’s participation in the tour.
“We have to get his blessing before anything,” Sanchez said.
Duncan offered not only his approval but also his full support. He has attended the post-ride memorial service in past years.
“I am extremely proud of the PCPD officers that have volunteered to take on the physically demanding challenge of cycling 250 miles in order to pay tribute to their fallen comrades,” Duncan said. “I cannot think of a more honorable event for us to participate in.”
Sanchez, Tester and Kleeman will be cycling, but Fowler will be there for practical and technical support.
“They recommend that if you have a support team member, he can drive the van and basically follow the group,” Sanchez said.
Fowler will transport bikes and other equipment up to Virginia before the tour and then assist the Plant City team with water, food and equipment maintenance during breaks, about every 25 miles.
The Police Unity Tour is an annual event that began in 1997 and coincides with National Police Week each year. Eighteen cyclists completed the inaugural tour, but participation has increased to about 1,800 since then, encompassing teams from across the country. This will be the first time the Plant City Police Department has participated.
THREE WAYS TO DONATE
• Visit the Plant City Police Department’s fundraiser page: firstgiving.com/team/275588
• Visit the team’s booth at the Strawberry Classic Car Show, Oct. 18, where the officers will be selling hamburgers and hot dogs.
• Purchase a wristband at the car show, or by visiting the police station. Wristbands are $2 each and feature the text, “Police Unity Tour 2015.”
Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.