Honor guard hosts fun-run fundraiser

MINDEN, Nev. " Are you ready for a run?

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard is hosting a 5K walk/run May 16 to raise money to send the 10 members to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. in May 2010.

Honor guard members hope to raise $10,000 by next year to pay their way to National Police Week ceremonies.

Deputy Rick Sousa, a 7-year member of the honor guard, said he came up with the idea for the run after he attended a similar event on behalf of Joey Jacobsen who was injured last fall.

"We were looking for an event the whole family can enjoy that wouldn't be too expensive," Sousa said.

Entry fees are $20 for preregistration, $15 for senior citizens and $30 the day of the race.

Children 12 and under run for free.

Each participant receives a commemorative T-shirt.

Pets are welcome as are kids in strollers.

"The more the merrier," Sousa said. "It's going to be fun."

Medals will be awarded for the first three places, but even the slowest stragglers will receive blue ribbons.

Participants are to meet at 7:30 a.m. at the sheriff's office parking lot for sign-in and to pick up their T-shirts.

The 3.1-mile race course is from the parking lot to the Bently Biofuel Outpost service station and back. There will be two water stations along the route.

The honor guard also is seeking sponsors at $150 each who get their names on the T-shirts if they commit by April 15.

Capt. Mike Biaggini, who leads the honor guard, said the Douglas group tries to attend the Washington, D.C. ceremonies every two or three years.

"We also participate in the Carson City officers' memorial ceremony on May 7 and the James Hoff memorial on May 8," he said.

Members of the honor guard pay all their own expenses except their salaries while they are attending functions.

Two weeks ago, five Douglas members attended the funerals for four Oakland police officers shot to death in line of duty.

"The longer I am in the honor guard, the more I love it," Sousa said. "This is something by far I truly cherish."

Biaggini and Sousa both cited the friendships they have made through the years in the honor guard.

"The officers you meet in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere, it's almost a global thing," Sousa said.

Biaggini said it is a privilege as an honor guard member to escort the survivors of a fallen officer at the national ceremony.

"It's a treasured time," he said. "You get to know them and hear their stories. It helps the family bring about a little closure."

DETAILS

What: Douglas County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard 5K Walk/Run To Remember, registration $20 for adults (includes T-shirt); children 12 and under free

When: May 16, 7:30 a.m.

Where: Douglas County Sheriff's Office parking lot

Info: Deputy Rick Sousa, 782-6253, e-mail: rsousa@co.douglas.nv.us; registration forms are available at the sheriff's office, 1625 Eighth St., Minden, or The Record-Courier, 1503 Highway 395, Suite G, Gardnerville.

HONOR GUARD MEMBERS

Capt. Mike Biaggini

Sgt. Will Lynch

Deputy Nate Almeida

Deputy Joanne Cruz

Deputy Rick Koontz, Sr.

Deputy Dean Kumagai

Deputy Leland Love

Deputy Kevin Schaller

Deputy George Schramm

Deputy Rick Sousa