2nd Annual Connecticut Law Enforcement Officer Memorial 5k Run Coming to Middletown

From The Middletown Police Department
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On Saturday October 22, 2011, the 2nd annual Connecticut Law Enforcement Officer Memorial 5k Run will be held at The Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill Estates, 421 Wadsworth St., Middletown.

So far this year 148 law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty. On average, 58,000 law enforcement officers are assaulted each year, resulting in approximately 16,000 injuries. Since the first recorded police officer death in 1792, there have been nearly 19,000 officers killed in the line of duty.

The Connecticut Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Run calls together officers, survivors, and supporters to participate in a 5K run to benefit the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Each state is asked to sponsor a similar statewide event. The dollars we raise will help maintain the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, organize Police Week events, fund research and education in officer safety, and build the first-ever National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C.



It is the goal of the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial to increase respect, raise awareness for officer safety, and honor all of our law enforcement heroes. With over 10,000 sworn officers in the State of Connecticut alone, the Connecticut chapter of the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial has the ability to raise in excess of $250,000 to maintain efforts in research and education, and ensure that the courage and dedication of our fallen officers is never forgotten.

Last year the first race raised about $5,000, and the Connecticut Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Run signed on to pledge at least $10,000 to the building of the National Law Enforcement Museum over the next 5 years. The rest of our donations will go to memorial efforts, including restoration, and research in law enforcement safety. Organizations that pledge this amount will each get their own row in the Introductory Theater where visitors first arrive during their visit to the museum. The Connecticut Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Run name will be engraved along the riser.

Registration and packet pickup is from 8:00am to 9:00am. Parents can sign their kids up for the Kids Fun Run at the registration table. The Kids Fun Run is free and starts at 9:00am. The Kid’s Fun Run is approximately one half mile and will be held on the driveway of the Wadsworth Mansion. Families are welcome to join the event as the Connecticut State Police will provide a law enforcement presentation for children while parents run the 5K race.

 At approximately 9:30am, Police Pipes and Drums of Waterbury Police Department will play and Sgt. Kevin McCarthy of the West Hartford Police Department will sing the National Anthem. The 5k race will start at the Wadsworth Mansion, travel onto Wadsworth Street, to Laurel Grove Road, to Daniels Street, to Long Hill Road, to Long Lane, to Wadsworth Street and end at the Wadsworth Mansion. Area residents and businesses are encouraged to come out and support runners at the Wadsworth Mansion and as the runners make their way through the surrounding area. After the 5k race, runners and supporters, will meet on the rear lawn of the mansion for a post-run memorial display to Connecticut’s fallen heroes, awards, door prizes, vendors, food and refreshments.

This event has been made possible by the support and contributions from the two event sponsors; the State of Connecticut Fraternal Order of Police and Cardio Express. Additional support and/or donations were made by the City of Middletown, Connecticut Police Supply, Detour Bar, Eli Cannon’s Tap Room, Fleet Feet Sports of West Hartford, Illiano’s Ristorante & Pizzeria of Middletown, the Middletown Police Department, New World Laser Tag, OTIS Technology, Police Pipes and Drums of Waterbury, and Under Armour.

For questions, more information, or to make a donation to the Connecticut Law Enforcement Officer Memorial 5k Run, please contact Lisa Pudlo, Law Enforcement Ambassador, National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, lisa.pudlo@ctleomr.org, (860) 462 – 1733, www.ctleomr.com, or Officer Kristen Drapala at the Middletown Police Department, kdrapala@middletownctpolice.com, 860-344-3200 ext.315.