Officer Macaila Saunders Rode 300 Miles Over Three Days
SWANSEA — Chief Marc Haslam is pleased to announce that Swansea Police Officer Macaila Saunders participated in the Police Unity Tour this week, a cycling event where police officers throughout the country ride to Washington, D.C. to honor law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.
Officer Saunders is part of the New Bedford Police Department Unity Tour Riders. This is her seventh year “riding for those who have died.”
Her team rode their bicycles approximately 300 miles in three days, through five states, beginning in New Jersey and ending at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The team arrived in Washington on Wednesday, Oct. 13.
“We are very proud of Officer Saunders for once again making the ride to Washington D.C.,” Chief Haslam said. “It is quite the athletic feat to be able to ride that far in a few days and it’s all for a great cause.”
The Police Unity Tour raises awareness for law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty and also raises money to support the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial.
The ride typically takes place during National Police Week in May, but was delayed this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Police Unity Tour culminates with an event where the names of officers who have recently died in the line of duty are added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall. Hundreds of names were added to the wall this year, bringing the total to 22,611.
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