On January 9^th 2007, a friend and former partner of mine in the Baltimore City Police Department was shot and killed in the line of duty while serving the citizens of Baltimore City. He left behind 5 children and a loving family, attempting to protect those who could not protect themselves. Detective Troy Chesley was not only an extraordinary police officer, but a father and good friend to many. He will be deeply missed.

            I have been a police officer in Baltimore City for just over 11 years. In my 11 years as a public servant, the Baltimore City Police Department has lost 11 officers in the line of duty. Since 1784, when the BCPD was unofficially established (officially est. 1845), over 124 Baltimore City police officers have died while on duty. Nationally, a total of 1,635 law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty during the past 10 years, an average of one death every 53.5 hours or 163 per year. I have attended too many police funerals in the past 11 years, each touching me in a different way. However, the killing of Troy Chesley truly hit home and affected me personally. I am deeply saddened by this loss.

            The purpose of this letter is to seek sponsorship for The Police Unity Tour. The Police Unity Tour is an effort to raise awareness in both the police and civilian communities about the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, and to honor law enforcement officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our communities.

            A secondary purpose of the tour is to raise funds for the National Law Enforcement Memorial and the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Museum in Washington D.C. The Unity Tour began 11 years ago with only eighteen members who raised over $18,000. The tour has since grown each year and in 2006 it raised approximately $1,000,000. In 2008 it raised over $1,000,000.                 

           This year, riders from across the nation will bicycle from Portsmouth, VA to Washington D.C., traveling over 250 miles. Each rider is responsible for raising $1,800 by April 15^th in order to participate. I ask for your support in this endeavor. Donations can be made directly to the website www.firstgiving.com/louisnanna2. Just click on my name and choose a monetary amount. Also any questions about the tour can be explained in full on this web site or at www.policeunitytourviii.org. Additionally, any checks should be made payable to the Police Unity Tour, Inc. and sent directly to me at the following address:

 

            Louis Carl Nanna, Jr.

  

            Any donation will help towards my goal and I thank you for your time and continual support of Law Enforcement. 

 

                                                                   Sincerely,

                                                             

                                                                   Officer Louis Carl Nanna Jr. BCPD