The 61-year-old police reservist prepares to participate in a bike event in May to remember Capt. William Eaton, the Van Nuys LAPD commander.

It's not something that Jacob Castroll ever thought he would do, but when he saw that the Police Unity Tour could be a way to honor a friend of his, he jumped at the chance.

Now, the 61-year-old owner of Jacob Castroll Insurance in Studio City, is preparing to take part in a commemorative bike ride from New Jersey to Washington, D.C.from May 8 to 15.

He wants to do it in the memory of Los Angeles Police Capt. William Eaton, who died Jan. 13 of cancer. Eaton was the commander of the Van Nuys Police Division, and at 44, left behind a wife and two boys, 7 and 9.

"He was a good man, a big man in every sense of the word," Castroll said. "He was liked by all his peers, and a great leader. He should have been around a lot longer to continue his good work on the police force."

Eaton died within a few weeks of his diagnosis of an aggressive form of cancer, and was upbeat and determined to fight it until the end, even answering work emails from home as his health permitted, friends said.

Castroll got to know Capt. Eaton when he joined the police reserves as a volunteer. They worked on many community meetings together between the community, the LAPD and the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. Eaton was supportive of Castroll's wish to join the police reserves and go through the police academy training a year ago when Castroll turned 60.

"There are not many people who join something like that at that age," Castroll said. "It is quite unusual to see a volunteer my age."

But, the academy's requirement to stay healthy has kept Castroll in better shape than when he turned 40, he figured.

"I am exercising more, and you have to keep in fit shape to be a part of this," explained Castroll, who has lived and worked in the area for more than 30 years.

The Police Unity Tour was established in 1997 to help raise awareness in both the police and civilian communities about the exceptional people who have worked in law enforcement. In the past, more than 900 riders from all across the country have participated, and raised more than $1.3 million.

Castroll is training for the ride, and collecting money for the charity, and plans to ride a few days and also work on the support team. Along the way, he will carry the name and share the memory of Capt. Eaton.

"He was a giant of a man, and I want to have him be remembered," Castroll said. "This is a way I can do that."