Canonsburg police officer, Scott Bashioum, was killed on Nov. 10, when he responded to a domestic call. After his death, multiple fundraisers in the western Pa. area were done to show his grieving family support.

To show support for the fallen hero, Officer Shawn McMinn of the Aspinwall Police Department, is riding his bike to honor the memory of Bashioum and other fallen officers.

McMinn is riding in the Police Unity Tour, a memorial tour for fallen officers, in East Hanover, N.J. The tour, taking place May 12, covers 320 miles in four days.

The Police Unity Tour, which began in 1997, is meant to bring light and awareness to Law Enforcement officers that have lost their lives in the line of duty. Its biggest goal is to keep the memorial hall and museum fully funded so that families of fallen officer’s forever have a place their loved ones will be remembered.

Each tour member is a part of a chapter to begin the ride; McMinn is a part of the Eastern N.J. Chapter 1. The chapters all start at different locations but come together and have the end point of the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial and Museum.

Bobbette Kryzanowski, Bashioum’s sister, is humbled at the fact someone chose to ride in memory of her late brother.

“I feel very honored that he chose my brother, I was overcome with emotion when I originally read the article,” said Kryzanowski. “I thought that’s one more person honoring him. It’s also such a sacrifice to himself because it’s such a huge ride.”

Kryzanowski also mentioned how happy she is that awareness is being brought to the surface about those who have taken the ultimate sacrifice. She has friends that have said they will be on the lookout for McMinn if he passes through their N.J. town during the ride.

Amanda Linklater, the member services director of the Police Unity Tour’s chapter one, as well as a 12-year participant, said she hopes participants gain a sense of honor and accomplishment for a fallen hero.

“It’s just an overwhelming sense of pride when you get together with 2,000 other law enforcement officers, it’s a special four days.” said Linklater.

Being in the tour can be a tough task, but is well worth it according to Linklater.

“It’s an unbelievable experience. You suffer through cold and heat but everyone knows that the person they are riding for would love to complain about the cold or heat but they can’t.” said Linklater.

According to 2016 Preliminary End-of-Year Law Enforcement Officer Fatalities Report done by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 135 officers were killed in the line of duty in 2016. This is a 10 percent increase from the previous number of 123 in 2015, and the highest total since 2011, which had a total of 177 officers killed.

Officers share a bond from being in the tour.

“Everyone comes together for one common purpose.” said Linklater.

Donations can be made online or through mail, they go directly towards either the Memorial fund or to build the National Law Enforcement Museum. Visit

www.nleomf.org/contribute for more information.