NJ Cops June2018 | Page 44

Police Unit y Tour Hardyston Township Local 374 Family promotion While officers across New Jersey tucked in for a good night’s sleep before the launch of the Police Unity Tour, Ricky Nudo of Hardyston Township Local 374 was at the hospital, waiting for the birth of his first niece. It took a couple of trips back and forth to the hospital where his sister was in la- bor with her first child. But by 1 a.m., Un- cle Ricky was able to finally meet newborn Izadora and hold his beloved niece for the first time. A few hours later, Nudo was hopping on his bicycle to pedal 300 miles to Washing- ton D.C. for National Police Week. “I got like two hours of sleep before the ride,” Nudo shared. “I was a little tired, but all of the adrenaline and what you’re rid- ing for makes it all worth it.” 44 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ JUNE 2018 Nudo was greeted at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial by his girlfriend, Danielle, and his parents, who held up a poster congratulating Nudo on his new family title. “Patrolman Nudo, you’ve been promot- ed to Uncle Ricky!” the sign read. Nudo was proud to have gotten the op- portunity to honor the fallen on his fourth Unity Tour ride, but Nudo knew he now had another responsibility as well. So after paying his respects at the Memorial with the 18 other officers he rode with from Sussex County, Nudo looked forward to the ride back to New Jersey, this time by car, to celebrate his sister’s first Mother’s Day and enjoy some quality time with his niece. “I can’t wait to go home and see her again,” Nudo insisted. “But I’m glad I got to come to this site and raise awareness for all of the guys and girls who lost their lives in the line of duty.”  Amber Ramundo