TN PBA Raises Almost $2,000 as Wilson County Gears Up for Signature Fundraiser: Race 4 the Fallen 5K Glow Run/Walk 8 p.m. June 13
Runner, walkers and anyone else of any age who wants to participate in the June 13 Tennessee Police Benevolent Association’s (PBA) Second Annual Race 4 the Fallen 5K Glow Run/Walk are all being invited to help fallen officers and their families. The race, scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., Saturday, June 13, at Mt. Juliet High School, 1800 Curd Road, is expected to be the largest fundraiser yet.
The deadline to register online is Thursday although participants can register at the family-oriented fundraiser as late as 6 p.m. the day of the race. Early race packet pick-up is from 4-7 p.m. Friday, June 12 at the Lowe’s parking lot, but racers can pick up their race gear and goodie bags just before the race on the 13.
To register for the June 13 Race 4 the Fallen Glow Run/Walk, go to raceforthefallen.com. The Race 4 the Fallen 5K Glow Run/Walk was created to honor the dedicated members of law enforcement who risk their lives each day to protect everyone. It is the signature event to raise money for the PBA chapters across the country. On June 13, cities from across the country will be having their own Fall 5K Glow races.
The event, which is organized by Wilson County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. James Lanier, drew more than 500 runners last year and raised over $9,000. “We hope this event is even larger and more successful than last year’s race,” said Sgt. Lanier, who is TN PBA Vice President and President of the PBA Andrew Jackson Chapter. “This is a tribute to those officers who have fallen in the line of duty. This is our way of honoring those officers and their families.”
This year, an estimated 54 officers were killed in the line of duty as of June 6 at midnight. Many more have suffered serious injuries. Each year, as many as 150 officers take their own lives. It is for those officers and families the PBA provides support. The PBA fundraiser kicked off Sunday with Wilson County Law Enforcement Day at the Mt. Juliet Worship Center where the congregation and guests contributed almost $2,000 in addition to providing lunch for law enforcement officers and their families from all across Wilson County.
Wilson County Sheriff’s Office Chaplin Don Willis, assistant pastor at the church, organized the tribute, putting together a video of all the officers killed in the line of duty this year as well as providing music and entertainment for officers and their families. Sheriff Robert Bryan addressed the crowd, noting how especially dangerous the profession has become over the years because of drug addiction and so many people with an increasing violent tendency toward law enforcement officers. Other speakers included Pastor Danny Sellars; FOP Chaplain Sam Weatherly, Mt. Juliet Police Chief James Hambrick; WCSO Sgt. Lanier, WCSO Lt. Scott Moore; Cpl. Emy Bates and others.
The PBA Foundation and Southern States Police Benevolent Association also rely on support from the community through private and corporate donations for a variety of services available for PBA members and their families. The funds go to provide aid to the families of fallen law enforcement officers, scholarships for youth, disaster relief to officers, and post traumatic stress and suicide prevention seminars to law enforcement professionals and their families. For more information about the Police Benevolent Foundation, visit www.pbfi.org.