Police Unity Tour holds their Black and Blue BBQ Fundraiser

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — “We ride for those who died.” That is the motto of the Police Unity Tour, a movement that raises awareness about fallen officers.

For Jerry Franklin, it’s a reminder of his departed brother.

“I’m going to participate this year. They asked me to participate in the unity tour. I’m looking so forward to it because, it’s just that I miss my brother terribly,” Franklin said.

According to the organization’s website, 144 officers are killed in the line of duty each year.

This year the tour from Southport is riding for police officer James “Mitch” Prince and officer Joseph Franklin.

Andrea Reisen is one of the riders this year and says fundraisers like this help bring the issue forward

“Every day, there is an officer killed somewhere across the United States. We want to raise awareness especially down here in North Carolina, that it could happen to anybody,” Reisen said.

Reisen says raising money for the tour is difficult and takes a lot of time and effort to reach the goal

“Each member of the Police Unity Tour needs to raise $1850 to participate in the unity tour, which those funds go directly to the police unity tour to help raise awareness for officers killed in the line of duty,” Reisen said.

Reisen and one other officer will get on their bikes May 9th. From there, they will ride straight to RFK Stadium in Washington DC on May 12th to join the rest of the Police Unity Tour.

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