RUPD Officer Joins Police Unity Tour to Cycle in Memory of His Father
- the Only Rutgers Police Officer to Die in the Line of Duty

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – Richard J. McGilvery was only 8 months old when his father, Det. Richard E. McGilvery of the Rutgers University Police Department, was killed while responding to a report of a burglary on Oct. 6, 1978,  becoming the only Rutgers police officer to die in the line of duty.

Today, Richard J. McGilvery is an officer with the Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD), and although he has no personal memory of his father, next month he will join hundreds of other law enforcement officers from around the country in the Police Unity Tour and make the 300-mile bicycle trek from New Jersey to Washington, D.C., in his father’s name.

“The Ride for Those Who Died” raises funds to support the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial (NLEOM) in Washington, D.C., and honors those officers who have fallen in the line of duty.

Last year, 181 law enforcement officers nationwide died in the line of duty, according to NLEOM statistics. That compares with 151 officers who died in 2006, an increase of 20 percent. Since 1792, more than 18,000 federal, state and local law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty. Their names are engraved on the “Walls of Remembrance” at the memorial.

“By riding in memory of my father,” said McGilvery, “I not only want to commemorate the 30^th anniversary of his passing but also hope to increase awareness of the dangers of police work. I want people to realize that behind the badge and the gun there is a human being who has the same hopes and fears as anyone else.”

The Police Unity Tour was founded in 1997 by a Florham Park, New Jersey, police officer. The cyclists raise funds by obtaining sponsors for their ride and each participant rides in the name of a fallen officer. The tour runs from May 9 to May 12.

This is the first year that McGilvery is riding in the tour. “I spoke with fellow officers who have participated in the event and they all raved about how it was such a great experience. Now that I’ve been on the job for a while, I feel this is something I truly want to do.”

McGilvery’s grandfather also served on the Rutgers police force from 1963 to 1981.

McGilvery is joining RUPD sergeants Matthew Gulsby and Eric Neilsen on this year’s tour.

“The Police Unity Tour recognizes the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers and their families,” said Rhonda Harris, chief of the RUPD, “and the ride is a profoundly moving experience for the participants. We are extremely proud of all of our officers who devote their time, energy and passion to this very important cause.”

The tour is part of National Police Week, May 11 to May 17. Last year, according to the Police Unity Tour, more than a thousand participants raised $1.15 million for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

To support the RUPD officers, go to policeunitytour.com and download a rider sponsor form.