Police Unit y Tour
Atlantic City Local 24
Letter perfect
Who’ s that girl with the members of Atlantic City Local 24 who rode the Unity Tour?
That can’ t be Adria McMeekin. She’ s so grown up and beautiful. Did she write a letter this year?
Perhaps you remember Adria Mc- Meekin. For many of the past 13 years, she made signs with photos and messages to her father, Local 24 Officer Thomas McMeekin, who was lost in the line of duty on March 4, 2005. Every year, Adria would post the sign where Tom’ s name is inscribed on the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
This year, 15-year-old Adria greeted the five Local 24 members who once again rode the Unity Tour for her father. They gathered not far from where Adria posted a letter to her dad that culminated with a breathtaking message:
I’ ll keep writing these letters to you about how I’ m growing up and missing you more every day. And don’ t forget to check in on me every chance you get because I’ m always going to make you proud.
“ I wanted to tell him about my first year of high school, how I miss him and how I wish he could be here with me,” Adria disclosed.“ He’ s probably hanging out with my great-grandmother right now and having a blast watching me from above.”
Adria doesn’ t have many memories of her dad because she was two and a half when he was lost. But she has made memories by coming to National Police Week and honoring her father along with other officers who have been lost.
“ It means the world to me to be here and see all the people that would ride in for everyone who died in the line of duty and their families,” she added.“ And the support they give by riding means the world to everyone here.”
Among the Local 24 riders were President Matt Rogers, Past President T. J. Moynihan and Thomas McCabe. The next night, McCabe would be honored as a Top Cop by the National Association of
36 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ JUNE 2018
Police Organizations along with his partner Josh Vadell.
The emotion and inspiration from being honored for saving Josh’ s life, Adria’ s presence and completing the Tour for the second time seemed to move McCabe nearly to tears.
“ It all really hits me when I go up and read Adria’ s letter,” he revealed.“ Seeing the pictures of Tommy, then her letter, that’ s when it all hits me that all the stuff we rode through and all the miles, that’ s what it’ s for. That moment right there.”
From Adria’ s words to McCabe’ s emotions to the celebration of the arrival, the Unity Tour provided reinforcement, respite and respect that made this a moment to remember.
“ From the day we left until we got here, no one was yelling or screaming or throwing stuff at us like we’ re used to,” Roger expressed.“ It’ s just the opposite. It’ s so much appreciation. It gives you a kick in the ass to realize that more people like the cops than dislike them.” �
Mitchell Krugel