Aram Boghosian for The Boston Globe

Donna LoVerme honored her grandfather, Patrolman William L. Abbott, by placing a rose on the seat of an antique Boston police motorcycle Sunday.

Aram Boghosian for The Boston Globe

Patrolman William L. Abbott died in 1931 pursuing an alleged criminal.

BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

Boston police officers on motorcycles helped escort President Eisenhower on Tremont Street in 1953.

BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

An officer on his bike in 1919.

BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

Bikes before about 1950 were hard to ride. Above, a unit member at Braves Field in 1922.

JACK O’CONNELL/GLOBE STAFF

The Boston Police Department’s Mobile Operations Patrol showed off its vehicles in 1966.

GLOBE FILE PHOTO BY BILL MURPHY

MOP squad members prepared to push a crowd off the street after a curfew violation on Boston Common in 1968.

STAN GROSSFELD/GLOBE STAFF

In 1981, youngster Joey Navis enjoyed a moment on a bike used by MOP squad member John Donovan.