Worcester Police Officers Run 450-Miles To D.C. Honoring Officer Manny Familia

WORCESTER, MA — A group of Worcester police officers completed their annual run from Worcester to Washington, D.C. this week, honoring fallen Officer Enmanuel “Manny” Familia and other law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty.

A total of 21 Worcester police officers and department officials left Green Hill Park on Mother’s Day and traveled about 450 miles over 72 hours as part of National Police Week observances.

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The journey ended at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, where Familia’s name was added following his death in 2021.

Organizers from NEPBA Local 911 described the run as far more than a physical challenge.

“This journey is far more than a run,” the union said in a statement. “It is a symbol of brotherhood, remembrance, and the unbreakable commitment officers carry for one another long after the end of a shift.”

The officers carried Familia’s memory throughout the trip to the memorial, where the names of officers killed in the line of duty are permanently engraved.

The New England Police Benevolent Association said it is “incredibly proud” of the Worcester officers who continue the tradition each year while representing the city and honoring Familia’s legacy.

Familia died on June 4, 2021, while trying to rescue a teenager from drowning in Green Hill Pond. He was 38 years old.

June 4, 2026, will mark five years since his death.

National Police Week is held each May in Washington, D.C. to honor law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

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