Officers to take part in Tour de Force to honor 9/11 fallen BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN - Many people have many ways of honoring those who perished on 9/11, and members of the Middletown Police Department are no different. Starting yesterday, Detective Gerald Weimer, Lt. Craig Weber and Lt. Joseph Capriotti, along with 100 other law enforcement officers from throughout the country and Canada, will participate in the 2007 Tour de Force 9/11 Memorial Bike Ride, a four-day, 250-mile journey from New York City to Boston. The riders hope to raise about $100,000 to assist families of law enforcement officers throughout the nation who have been killed in the line of duty. Capriotti said he could think of no better way to honor those who were killed six years ago. "This is my first time doing it, and I think it's going to be great," Capriotti said. "Last year we rode from New York City to the Pentagon, and so I'm prepared for a long bike ride again for a very worthy cause." While last year's ride was also approximately 250 miles, this one will be different, and Capriotti is prepared. "I know that at some point in Connecticut, there will be plenty of hills out there. Last year the ride to Washington was pretty flat, so I'll be ready. We'll all have to be ready." Capriotti said that officers from as far away as Seattle, Las Vegas and Toronto will be on hand for the ride. Also, those making the trek will be guests of the Boston Red Sox for a game this weekend against the New York Yankees. While he, and the many others from the New York area are surely appreciative of the gesture, he knows where his loyalties lie. "That's nice that they're having us up there for the game, but I'm rooting for the visitors," Capriotti said.