TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Jeff Van Drew and Fred H. Madden which would designate Route 9 in Cape May County as “Police Unity Tour Memorial Highway,” has been unanimously approved by the full Senate.
Started in 1997, the Police Unity Tour was created to increase awareness of the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial in Washington, D.C. The Police Unity Tour has chapters throughout the country, including two in New Jersey, which would raise awareness and funding for the national memorial.
“The goal of this legislation is to promote public awareness and support of the D.C. memorial, so that we can increase the amount of funding we send to help with its expansion,” said Senator Van Drew, D-Cape May. “Our police officers risk their lives so that we can have the freedom to enjoy ours – a memorial like the one in D.C. is one way we can thank them for their service.”
The Senators’ bill, S-632, would direct the State Department of Transportation to erect signs along the highway, noting the name change.
The Police Unity Tour would cover the cost of the signs.
“During my years as a State Trooper, I lost friends and colleagues in the line of duty. In fact, some of their names are written on the walls of the D.C. Memorial,” said Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester, a former Acting Superintendent of the State Police. “Renaming this section of roadway would not only help to raise funds, it would also serve as another reminder of the sacrifices that our men and women ‘in blue’ make to protect public safety.”
This measure now heads to the Assembly for approval.
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