The 2017 Police Unity Tour stopped at Page Middle School last Wednesday, where it was greeted by students and staff who lined the front entrance of their campus to share “high fives” with the officers.

The tour, with the theme “We Ride For Those Who Died,” aims to raise awareness of the law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty. It also raises funds for the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial and Museum in Washington, D.C.

In preparation for the visit, Page sixth graders researched officers who lost their lives in the line of duty during 2016. They wrote letters to the officers’ departments to show their honor and appreciation for the fallen men and women and created memorial bicycle plaques for each officer.

Page librarian Shannon Kerr, who organized the event, said many of the tour participants were riding to honor Virginia State Trooper Chad Dermyer of Gloucester, who was killed last year while participating in a...