By Eileen Oldfield, Staff Writer
For four Manville police officers, riding bicycles from Florham Park to Washington, D.C., from May 9 to May 12 a 400-mile trip is a small sacrifice when compared to the cause for which they ride.
For a second year, officers Joe Buda, Nickolas Franzoso and Richard Canuso and dispatcher James Piorkowski will spend the four days on the 2009 Police Unity Tour, raising awareness for officers killed in the line of duty. The 12-year-old tour also raises money for the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial and Museum.
”It’s just an ongoing thing that they’ve (the tour organizers) have done for years, and the four of us decided it was something we wanted to do to give back to our fellow officers and their families,” Officer Buda said.
Last year’s Unity Tour drew more than 1,100 officers nationwide to the ride and raised $1.25 million for the fund, according to the tour Web site, www.policeunitytour.com.
Officers Buda, Franzoso and Canuso and Mr. Piorkowski pledged to raise more than $6,800 for this year’s tour and are looking for donations to meet their goal. Donations can be made through the Web site or dropped off at the Manville Police Department, at 2 N. Main St., Officer Buda said.
”Any support would be great,” he said. “It goes to officers throughout the country, not just local officers here.”
He added, “It’s nice that the town gives the (local) officers the opportunity to give back. Given the sacrifice of losing their lives, it’s nice that the town allows us to ride for them.”

