Sports
Area Residents Run 5K in Portsmouth to Honor Fallen Officers
Ninety-eight runners ran the the 3rd annual Aquidneck Island 5K race to honor fallen police officers this past weekend.
Ninety-eight runners braved the rain, cold temperatures and windy conditions on Saturday morning at the 3rd annual Aquidneck Island 5K race to honor fallen police officers
The race was held at Second Beach in Middletown.
The 5K race and one-mile Fun Run, as well as a pasta dinner, were all co-sponsored by the Portsmouth Police Department Unity Tour Team and the Aquidneck Island National Police Parade.
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The runners and the two committees came together Saturday to honor law enforcement officers who died in 2010 and 2011 throughout the country.
“There were 161 officers killed in the line of duty and, unfortunately, so far there have been 63 officers lost this year,” stated race organizer Portsmouth Police Lt. Bill Burns.
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According to an open letter published in the 2011 police parade program and written by Newport Policeman Corey Huck, chairman of the Aquidneck Island National Police Parade, there were 11 officers killed alone in 2010 in the northeastern United States.
Texas, Florida and California were among the top three states to lose officers in the line of duty, according to the program.
To view more from Saturday's 5K race and Fun Run, see the videos and photos at right.
Top 5 male runners in the 5K:
- David Schaad, 18:55
- Marc Davis of Barrington, 20:18
- Davis Hanley of Middletown, 20:30
- Mike Proto of Bristol, 20:51
- Nathaniel Queen of Newport, 20:57
Top five female runners:
- Mimi Dowd of Newport, 23:19
- Elizabeth Gormley of Porter Corners, NY, 25:30
- Melissa Jodat of Swansea, 25:51
- Denina Johnson of Middletown, 26:08
- Patricia Watters of Newport, 27:52
The full results from the 5K can be found by clicking here.
Many other events will be held before the National Police Parade, which will take place on May 1. These events include:
April 30
- 10 a.m., fifth annual Police Parade Golf Outing at Newport National Golf Course
- 5 p.m., steak fry dinner with the Middletown Faternal Order of Police
- 8 p.m., police “Rodeo Round-Up”
May 1
- 11:30 a.m., Blessing of Parade Participants
- 11:50 a.m., Police Parade begins at 317 West Main Road and continues to the Newport Police Station
- Parade Party at Kempenaar’s Clambake Club
For more information about the 2011 National Police Parade, click here.
