Bradley University Police Department is holding a 5-kilometer Blue Ribbon Race to help benefit C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors).
This is the first year BUPD has held this type of event.
“C.O.P.S. has been a charity that I try to give to,” said Lieutenant Sean Savage of Bradley University Police Department. “It’s a good cause that gives funds to help out a [fallen] officer’s family.”
According to their website, the C.O.P.S. organization was started in 1984 to assist family members and coworkers impacted by the loss of a fellow police officer. Additionally, C.O.P.S. provides resources and facilities to help restore people’s broken lives, such as counseling programs, scholarship programs and peer support groups.
C.O.P.S. has chapters all across the nation and help those impacted at any rate or at any cost by holding events like the Blue Ribbon Race on Sept. 15.
“I lost an officer back home, and what happened with his family was tragic,” said Savage. “He had a wife and daughter and some of his co-workers helped raise money for them through C.O.P.S.”
Through this race, many people will be giving back to families who have lost loved ones. The race is also about having fun and building relationships with the BUPD.
“The event is more about fun and camaraderie,” said Savage. “When people interact with us outside of emergency situations, it transitions smoothly in those instances because we see a friendly face from before.”
According to Savage, Bradley students and BUPD are both excited for this event, along with parents visiting for Family Weekend. Additionally, the Bradley track team has come forward to help set up and facilitate the event.
Anyone who signs up can watch the race while enjoying coffee and doughnuts. It is an opportunity to get to know a local first responder and develop a relationship within the community.
In addition to the 5k run, children eight years old and younger will have their own fun run around the Alumni Quad. Participants will receive a junior BUPD race day challenge coin for taking part in it.
The race begins at 8:30 a.m. on Sept.15 at Markin Recreation Center (located at Alumni Quad/Clarissa Ct.) and goes until 12:00 p.m. The route will be located in the general Bradley area. Registration costs $25 and people receive BUPD’s exclusive race day t-shirt.
