America's 911 Foundation Recognize Greenwich Police [VIDEO]

Last month the four officers assigned to the department's motor unit escorted the America's 911 Foundation annual motorcycle tour which visited each of the three sites where hijacked planes were crashed by terrorists on Sept. 11, 2001.

It was the 10th annual ride in which more than 2,000 cyclists converged on Somerset, PA, near Shanksville; then the Pentagon in Arlington County, VA, culminating with a drive-by of the World Trade Center site in New York City. It all began Aug. 18 at the Riverside Common shopping center in the Riverside section of Greenwich.

Leading the thunderous that sunny morning were Greenwich officers Ron Carosella, Scott Johnson and Vinnie Loria, and Sgt. John Slusarz.

Each year, one of the police departments that sends officers as escorts for the ride is the recipient of a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Yesterday, Greenwich Police took delivery on a new Harley in recognition for its efforts with this year's ride.

"The ride is to honor those who valiantly gave their lives that day and those who do it everyday," said Ted Sjurseth, founder and president of America's 911 Foundation which provides college scholarships to the children of emergency services personnel and helps with relief efforts following natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and the tornadoes in Joplin, MO.

"This also means it's $15,000 the department didn't have to spend on a new motorcycle," Sjurset added.

Slusarz said that given the number of Sept. 11 victims with Greenwich ties, participation in this year's ride was even more poignant. Once the new Harley is outfitted and decorated with the Greenwich department's emblems, the bike will be used as part of the motor unit's community outreach program including classroom visits, Slusarz said. It also will be on display in the lobby of police headquarters at 11 Bruce Pl.

But before all that happens, the Representative Town Meeting must approve receipt of the motorcycle, as it does with any gift to the town worth more than $5,000, according to Deputy Police Chief James Heavey.