Unity Tour Gets Underway in Howell

The circle in front of Police Headquarters was a sea of blue on Monday morning for the start of the Annual Police Unity Tour.

Officers from all around the state gathered in Howell for a trip that will take them through the Garden State, all the way to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington D.C. in just a few days. Out of all the officers there, four were riding to represent the department hosting the ceremony.

The four included Sergeant Mike Martin, Detective Robert Ortenzi, Sergeant Joe Markulic and Patrolman Riaz Motani. A fifth Howell Patrolman, Matthew Cherney was starting the tour at the same time with a chapter representing officers in the northern part of the state. 

After months of training, the day finally arrived and it was clear from all the participants that there was a sense of nervous energy and excitement at the challenge they were about to undertake. 

For a ride that serves to remember police officers lost in the line of duty, the importance of event was made that much more real by some of the honored guests who were in attendance. It included family and friends of Lakewood Police Officer and Howell High School graduate Christopher Matlosz, who was killed earlier this year. There was also family of Trooper Marc Castellano there receiving a gold rose honoring his death last year.

Castellano will never be far from the minds of the Howell riders, as Ortenzi is riding in his honor. Not only is he riding for his friend, but he will also be riding alongside Castellano's brother Nick who serves with the Ocean Township Police Department. 

While Martin and Cherney have done the ride before, others like Ortenzi were making the trek for the first time. And in the case of the detective, it was the death of Trooper Castellano that got him on the bike for the 200 plus mile ride. "I was pretty much committed to doing it specifically for Marc," he said in an earlier during his training. "Just to be part of it and doing it for him is kind of overwhelming."

Sergeant Markulic also got a chance to spend some time with the uncle of Officer Karl McDonough of the El Paso Texas Police Department. The sergeant is doing the ride to honor McDonough who was killed by a drunk driver earlier this year.

A ceremony at headquarters included a prayer not only for the officers who were killed, but also for those who were making the trip down south. There was also a performance of the National Anthem, as well as words from Howell Police Chief Ronald Carter. A representative from the State Police also spoke about Trooper Castellano, both his on duty and off duty life.

Dignitaries in attendance included Monmouth County Sheriff and Howell resident Shaun Golden, as well as Howell Councilman William Gotto and Township Manager Helene Schlegel.

The first day of the trip will take the officers through different parts of Monmouth and Ocean Counties where some of the officers they were honoring were killed. From there, they and their large support group will make the trip down for Police Week. All the while, they will have the support of local departments the length of the route to help guide them through some heavy traffic areas and unfamiliar locations.  

Weather reports for the area over the next three days look promising for the riders, but as Cherney said, whatever the weather and conditions this ride is about more than just an extended exercise activity. "You're hurting and you're going down there and you realize that you're not doing it for you," he said. "This is a procession to remember everyone who has passed away." 

Stay with Howell Patch over the course of the week for updates from the Unity Tour and Police Week as a whole.