LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) — Around 800 people came out early Saturday morning to support officers killed in the line of duty.
The Lakeland Police Foundation hosted its 9th annual Fallen Heroes Memorial 5K at the Three Parks Trail.
Everyone who completed the race contributed support for local law enforcement, paid tribute to officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, and raised funds for the Lakeland Police Foundation.
“This is all about honoring the officers who have sacrificed their lives and given the ultimate sacrifice,” stated Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor.
The Lakeland Police Foundation organizes this event to commemorate their fallen and to gather funds to assist officers and their families in difficult times.
“The Lakeland Police Foundation started this race 9 years ago as a way to honor the 7 men who died in the line of duty for our agency, the Lakeland Police Department, but since that time, it has become so much more,” said Assistant Chief Steven Pacheco. “It’s become a community event that we could honor other law enforcement officers who also died, and also, our military members who died serving this country.”
Some runners wrote down the names of Lakeland police officers who have been killed.
“Officer Crispin, who lost his life taking care of each and every one of us out here, so this is the least that we can do to pay back him and his family,” said Linda Martinez.
Other runners ran for officers killed in the line of duty in other states.
“His name is Nick O’Rear. I didn’t quite know him personally, but I know his kids really well and I know how much they loved him and were devastated when he was lost,” said Adam Smith, who ran for an officer killed in Alabama.
Many who showed up to the event were proud to see the support for the men and women in blue.
“I do a desk job, right, and what they do is they risk their lives every single day for me and to keep us safe, so that’s what brought me out here today,” said Donna Hughes, a runner.
“I’ve been doing this for 35 years, and this kind of feeds your soul when you come out and understand that the majority of people do like the police and they do support what we do,” Chief Taylor said.
Runners of all ages took steps to honor, remember, and let the memories of those killed live on.
Organizers said they’re going to continue doing this event and that this is the largest community event that they have.
To learn more about the Lakeland Police Foundation and the memorial race, click here.
