Early Saturday morning while others are wrapped up snuggled in their beds Rialto Police Officers, Volunteers and City Workers were up closing streets and setting up for a memorial 5K to raise funds for a future Fallen Officer Monument to Honor the Three Men who have died in the line of duty. Over 200 people ran in the 2nd Annual 5K event with many more people on hand cheering on the many runners. Probably the coolest part was the Sheriffs Academy class were out once again running in a group chanting their cadence. (see above video)
People from all over the Inland Empire came out for this event including some recent businesses we had on the show this last season including 13 Ice Cream. Julian from 13 Ice Cream is a big supporter of local Law Enforcement agencies and loves to run in marathons. The amount of young people, families and other Police Agencies that came out to join in this effort to support fallen officers was awesome.
Police Chief Randy Deanda ended the event with these remarks:
On Saturday January 30, 2016 the Police Department had our second annual Rialto Police Officer Remembrance Day 5K Run/Walk. Members of the Rialto Police Department and the Rialto Police Benefit Association are working towards building a permanent memorial dedicated to our fallen officers.
The City of Rialto has declared January 31st of every year as “Rialto Police Officer Remembrance Day to honor those Rialto Police Officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Each year we will continue to hold this event as close to this day as possible.
This was not a somber event, however we ask everyone to reflect on the lives and legacies of these officers. We want to make sure that the sacrifice made by these Rialto police officers is never forgotten. The officers remembered on Saturday were Sergeant Darrell Keith Lee, Sergeant Gary Wolfley and SWAT Officer Sergio Carrera Jr.
A special thank you for those who worked on the second annual Rialto Police Officer Memorial 5K Run/Walk. Transcriber Kim Martin, Law Enforcement Technician Noretta Barker, Sergeant Vicky Gerard, Records Supervisor Jacquelyn Morales, Records Assistant II Deborah Faler, Volunteers Linda Bourke, Dennis Eaton, Jim Shields, Jonathan Gonzalez, Gary Rico, Earl Coatney, Lydia Marrero, Police Explorers, Traffic Division, Patrol, and Officers Jason Sanders and Michael Mc Donagh. Without their hard work, this event would not have been a success.
I would like to thank the 294 citizens of Rialto and the surrounding communities who participated in this event. The police department is appreciative for their continued support of the men and women of the Rialto Police Department. Congratulations to all of our police officers who won the team event and the son of Fallen Officer Sergio Carrera Jr. (Sergio Carrera III) who took third place in his age group!
Check out all the cool photos and videos by going to Rialto Re-Entry, Rialto Network or Rialto PD Facebook