(Shereen Siewert, Wisconsin Public Radio) Each May, a silent procession of cyclists winds its way to Washington, D.C. It’s a physical and emotional journey to honor law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
Among them this year will be Marathon County District Attorney Kyle Mayo, who rides in memory of Everest Metro Police Detective Jason Weiland and other fallen officers from around the country. Mayo, along with Wausau Police Officer Matt Grover and Marathon County Sheriff’s Lt. Cory Gladden, will travel to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 7.
Two days later, they’ll join thousands of officers from across the country on a multi day ride to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington. The Police Unity Tour marks the start of Police Week in the nation’s capital.
In a conversation with WPR’s “Morning Edition” host Shereen Siewert, Mayo said the experience of entering the memorial with more than 2,000 other riders is unforgettable. “Knowing that people rode that far and remembering their loved one, seeing us coming into the memorial, is a moving moment,” Mayo told WPR.
“The families and other people who are there for Police Week are lining the walls of the memorial. It’s just emotional.” This will be Mayo’s sixth time participating in the Police Unity Tour, a tradition that began in 2019 after witnessing the powerful arrival of riders during his first visit to the memorial the year before.
At the time, Mayo was in Washington to honor Weiland, who was shot and killed in March 2017 during a shooting spree in the Wausau area. The ride has since become a deeply personal mission for Mayo, who wears a bracelet bearing Weiland’s name throughout the journey, a tangible reminder of the officer and friend who continues to inspire him.
Each year, riders present those bracelets to the families of fallen officers, a gesture Mayo says helps keep their memories alive and underscores a nationwide commitment to never forget. Beyond remembrance, Mayo hopes the ride serves as a signal to the broader community: Behind every badge is a life worth honoring, and behind every fallen officer is a story that still matters.
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