GEK Continues Its Support of the Police Unity Tour

The primary purpose of the Police Unity Tour (PUT) is to ensure that no police officer killed in the line of duty will ever be forgotten. The secondary purpose is to raise funds for the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial. In 2021, the names of 394 fallen officers are being added to the memorial wall alongside the 22,600 names that have been included throughout the group's inception 25 years ago.

"Those numbers are staggering, and I applaud each and every one of you for being out here today and riding in their memory," Los Angeles Sherriff's Department Chief Sergio Aloma said as he addressed the bicyclists participating in the Southern California PUT (Chapter VII) in May. "And, even more importantly, riding in support of their families and the people they left behind."

Because of COVID-19, the Southern California PUT was an abbreviated version of what has historically been the case. Instead of the three-day ride on the East Coast, this year's route was a one-day ride from Ventura through the back country of Santa Barbara to Harbor View Park and back along the coast to the starting line. All 95 riders and support crew received their Police Unity Tour Medals of completion for the ride, as has been the case every year.

"Although the route was different and much shorter, the riders' passion was the same," says Craig White, a retired Los Angeles police officer, former president and vice president of the Southern California chapter, and a 20-year veteran of the ride. "It was a very fun gathering, a homecoming of sorts as many of us have not seen each other in more than a year. There were some riders who came all the way from Wyoming to participate."

Each rider and support person were required to raise $700 in order to participate; those funds will be used to maintain the memorial wall in Washington, D.C.

"We have been longtime sponsors of the PUT, and are always proud to contribute," says Adam Dombchik, Co-Managing Partner at the law firm of Gordon, Edelstein, Krepack, Grant, Felton & Goldstein, LLP (GEK).

"As Workers' Compensation attorneys we see first-hand the dangers faced by public safety officers on a daily basis, and how the on-the-job injuries they sustain impact not only themselves, but also their families, loved ones and fellow officers. This sponsorship is a small way for us to give back to those who put their lives on the line to help ensure our safety."

"Having GEK as a sponsor for so long has meant a lot to us, and it's very heartwarming to know that there are people and organizations that appreciate our value to the community," says White. And, he adds, "We are already planning for 2022 and a successful three-day ride Back East!"