"Heroes Live Forever" - the story of Florham Park (NJ) Police Officers Francis Dailey Jr. and Robert Hauptman

Fifty years ago, two Florham Park (NJ) police officers were killed in an airplane crash while searching for marijuana crops. Their deaths inspired a national phenomenon called the Police Unity Tour.

Officers Francis Dailey Jr. and Robert Hauptman

McLean, VA (November 11, 2025) - On July 17, 1975, two Florham Park, New Jersey, police officers—Patrolman Robert Hauptman and Det. Francis “Frank” Dailey Jr.—were killed in an airplane crash while returning from a reconnaissance flight searching for a marijuana crop. They were close to landing when their airplane stalled and then clipped a tree. They crashed to the ground and both officers were killed—50 years ago. In 1997, more than two decades later, a young Florham Park police sergeant named Patrick Montuore was concerned that too many people had forgotten about these two fallen heroes. Pat was determined to revive their memories, along with the memories of thousands of other officers who had died in the line of duty. He envisioned a powerful tribute: a 300-mile bicycle ride from Florham Park to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. He called it the Police Unity Tour. On that first ride in 1997, only 18 riders participated and they raised $18,000. The ride has grown every year since. This year, nearly 2,500 members participated and they donated $2.2 million to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Their total donations since 1997 have now surpassed more than $40 million.

Listen to the podcast to learn more: https://open.substack.com/pub/behindbadge/p/heroes-live-forever-the-story-of-013?r