Hi there! Before my latest running hiatus, I signed up to participate in the Run for the Badge 5k. While there is no fundraising requirement, I am hoping to raise $200.
Part of me hesitates to post this, as the law enforcement community is struggling with some terrible issues. I do not wish to alienate or offend anyone who has been impacted by the senseless brutality inflicted upon members of the public. I do want to honor those who serve with integrity, especially those who died in the line of duty.
I did include this on the fundraising page, but in case you aren't sure you want to click over I will share this here as well. I grew up in a small community, one where we kept a police scanner on because we could hear sirens from surrounding departments and wanted to make sure friends' homes, businesses, and churches were safe. I remember the night that a local officer was shot and killed while searching for a suspect that escaped a work release program. I was 15 years old, and twenty years later I still remember. I've raced a local 5k in his memory for several years, and unfortunately his loss was not the last that my community suffered in the years since.
My educational and professional career have brought some incredible law enforcement professionals into my life. Those in small localities in Texas, near Mexico, combatting a corrupt department while trying to protect their communities from drug warfare. An incredible homicide detective in Orlando, writing grants for every dime possible to support advanced forensic science for his cases and responding to cases I cannot even imagine (including the massacre at Pulse). A team of feds that are the exact opposite of every stereotype out there, providing expertise to departments across the country, and responding to major crimes at a moments notice.
These are the officers and agents that I hold in my mind and my heart. These and others like them are who I will run/walk/crawl 5k for in a few weeks. Please consider supporting those who sacrificed all by going to my page, linked below. Your donation supports the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. The Memorial Fund is a principal organizer of the National Police Week observances and hosts the Candlelight Vigil at the Memorial each may 13 to dedicate the newly-engraved names of the fallen, as well as honor all fallen law enforcement officers. In addition, the Memorial Fund maintains the largest, most comprehensive database of line-of-duty officer deaths, conducts research to identify emerging trends and findings of officer fatalities, and serves as an information clearinghouse to improve officer safety.
I am happy to answer any questions you have. Thank you so much for considering my request. http://support.nleomf.org/goto/pamchamplain