University of Oregon Police Lieutenant Andy Bechdolt, an avid cyclist, will participate in his third Police Unity Tour this May, riding some 250 miles in memory of officers who have died in the line of duty.

Bechdolt is part of team of 15 law enforcement officers from the state of Oregon team who will ride from New Jersey to Washington, D.C. May 9-12. The local contingent, riding in memory of fallen officers such as the Eugene Police Department's Chris Kilcullen, will join more than 1,500 other officers from across the U.S. Each participating officer must raise at least $1,750 to join the ride. The event has donated more than $14 million to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund since 1997.

"It's truly an awesome experience," Bechdolt said of his first two Unity Tours. "There's a line of bikes miles long, and we're all there for the same reason. We ride for those who died."

- from the UO Office of Public Affairs Communication