A Bike Ride to Key West Begins in Honor of a Toms River Police Officer

How far would you go to help fulfill the 'Bucket List' of a friend? A Toms River Police Sergeant and two retired cops are willing to pedal from the Toms River Police Headquarters to Key West Florida to fulfill the dream of a fellow officer in a journey that starts today.

Sergeant David McCallum says the 17-hundred mile bike odyssey was planned originally by Toms River Police Detective Mark Catalano who died last year. "It was a dream of his when he retired to go down to Key West by bicycle. And so in his honor, the three of us are still physically able to make this trip."

McCallum says riding along will be retired Toms River Bike Cop Frank Zangara who also mapped out the trip and set up a web page. The other, is retired Toms River Police Detective Vinnie Speziale.

When asked how many miles they're planning to do each day, McCallum says "We're hoping to get 60 to 65. You know, some days we'll hit 40. Other days it will be up around 90 depending on where the camp grounds are hotels are along the trip, depending on the weather."

McCallum says this is the first long distance trip of this type they've taken. "We did short trips to Washington D.C. with Police Unity Tour but this is the first long distance one and if this one's a success Frank's already trying to set one up for the top part of it from Maine to New Jersey for next year."

McCallum says it's not a fundraising trip but you can donate to some of Detective Catalano's favorite charities and follow their trek at their website and go to 'Finishing A Dream'.

McCallum says they're departing from the Toms River Police Headquarters this morning at 8:30, Wednesday October 19th and they're planning to arrive in Key West by November 13th.