On Tuesday, May 9th, 2023, Lakewood Police Captain Joseph Goertz who passed away in 2021 was Honored During the Police Unity Tour Chapter 10 – Ocean County Rose Ceremony.

The #policeunitytour made a stop off before on their way to Washington DC for a Rose Ceremony displaying the 1941 Oldsmobile “Unity in the Community” memorial car by Shrage Pinter. This ceremony in collaboration with the Sheriff’s Department and LPD honors our fallen brothers Captain Joseph Goertz and Sheriff Officer Mathew A. Horton.

Captain Joseph Goertz will be memorialized in Washington DC at the National Law Enforcement Memorial Wall as a line of duty death.

Also honored during the Rose Ceremony was Sheriff’s Officer Matthew S. Horton, who died in 2022. Families were presented a Rose by an officer of their Police Department. An award was presented to survivors John Tobias, Denise Tobias, and Lisa Preslar. Special Award to Morgan Blann (11 years old) for raising money for the #policeunitytour – chapter 10.

The Rose presentation took place at the Ocean County Justice Complex, Welcome Message, Pledge of Allegiance, and Moment of Silence by OCSO Capt. Craig Johnson; Invocation by Chaplain Isreal Bursztyn; Purpose & Meaning of The Police Unity Tour by U/S Darryl Breckenridge; Proclamation Presentation by OC Commissioner Gary Quinn, Sheriff Michael Mastronardy, Chief Gregory H. Meyer; Rose presenter D/Sgt. Jeannette Shimonovich (LPD) and Detective Keith Hardie (OCSO).

#policeunitytour kick-off this morning which commenced in Belmar where men and women in blue from New Jersey to California gathered together to ride for those who died .*Riders of LPD, Sgt. Kevin Martin, Sgt. Andrew Solomon and Ptl. Kyle Carrington, Survivor Lisa Preslar, and her daughter Grace Preslar; pedal cyclist. The motorcade of LPD, Sgt. Erik Menck,  Ptl. Alex Guzman, Ptl. Joseph Sandstrom, and Ptl. Cameron Rose. The support (for riders) of LPD, Ptl. Sean Ward.

Chief Gregory H. Meyer proudly supports this great mission and commends all members of law enforcement who are participating for their commitment to remembering our fallen officers and raising money for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

*Numerous members of law enforcement throughout NJ will be riding for Deptford Police Officer Bobby Shisler, a hero who died in the line of duty this past Sunday.

#policeunitytour2023 #chapter10