10th Annual Tour de Force
By Sergeant Bobby Randazzo, Police Department

The 10th Annual Tour de Force Charity Bicycle Ride started on December 4th, 2006, at the North Miami Beach Police Department and finished on December 8th, 2006, at the Daytona Beach Police Department. The tour is a five-day bicycle ride in which riders average approximately 50-55 miles each day, passing through 42 separate law enforcement jurisdictions. The Tour is a fully supported ride with police escorts provided by the Florida Highway Patrol, the City of Sunny Isles Beach and dozens of sheriff’s offices and local police agencies all along the route.

The Tour de Force is a non-profit organization that was formed in 1997 with a remembrance ride to raise money on behalf of the Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Robert Smith, who was killed in the line of duty by a drunk driver. This year’s event will once again benefit the families of fallen Florida Law Enforcement Officers who died in the line of duty during 2006. Unfortunately, eight officers were killed this year, including two from the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Sheriffs Brian Tephford and Ryan Seguin.

I am proud to announce that the Tour de Force raised almost $25,000 dollars this year and the City of Sunny Isles Beach contributed over $3,000 dollars. Five city employees participated in the entire event, including Officer Raul Diaz, Officer Rey Zamora, Sergeant Lee Athanasiou, Ms. Sandra Block and myself. Officer Melissa Montesino and Detective William Howell rode the first day. This was the fourth year for Sergeant Lee Athanasiou and I and the third year for Ms. Sandra Block. On July 13, 2000, the City of Sunny Isles Beach Police Department lost Sergeant James (Buck) Buchanan. Sergeant Buchanan was one of the founding officers of the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department and was training to participate in his first Tour de Force. He is still sorely missed and remembered by the members of our department.

This year’s kick-off was held at the North Miami Beach Police Department and was hosted by Chief Linda Loizzo with guest speakers Mayor Raymond F. Marin, City of North Miami Beach, and Mayor Norman S. Edelcup of City of Sunny Isles Beach. The ride began promptly at 10:30 a.m. with an entourage of approximately 100 bicyclists, with Police escort.

The members of the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department and I would like to thank all the people that helped to make this event successful. Our thanks go out to Mayor Edelcup, City Manager Szerlag, all our sponsors and contributors, and of course Chief Maas. I would personally like to thank Ms. Sandra Block for her dedication to this wonderful cause, Officer Rey Zamora who was a major fund raiser, A/Motor Sergeant Kenny Hackett and Motor Officer Yojans Martinez, who helped to escort the entire first day. It was a very successful and rewarding charity event. I look forward to the opportunity to participate in the Tour de Force next year.

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