GRAND RAPIDS (AP) - A reserve deputy plans to run across Michigan to honor the state's fallen officers.
Kent County Sheriff's Department Traffic Squad Reserve Deputy Matt Garbarino will run from the fallen officer memorial in Pontiac to a memorial at the Ottawa County Sheriff Office, WXMI-TV reported.
"We're really proud to support Deputy Garbarino in his efforts here. The dangers of law enforcement are often bought into light when an officer is killed in the line of duty. So we think it's important to support Matt as he brings awareness to this issue," said Kent County Sheriff Department Sgt. Joel Roon.
Garbarino will begin the 160-mile trek June 4 to raise money for the Concern of Police Survivors charity that supports the families of fallen officers.
"The run won't be like racing something," he said. "I'm not running for a time, I'm running for a purpose."
He plans to run about 40 miles each day to finish by June 7.
Garbarino also plans to carry the Thin Blue Line American Flag, which represents solidarity with police and honors those who've died in the line of duty, WOOD-TV reported.
"I'm a big runner and participate in a lot of races locally and some of the ones. I have run with a thin blue line flag in those events and it's just raised a lot of conversation about what does that flag mean and what does it represent," Garbarino said.
The Officer Down Memorial Page said 590 Michigan officers have died in the line of duty.
Published: Mon, Feb 26, 2018
