On an early morning in Garland, the Police Academy Class 72 laced up their running shoes to partake in a somber tradition. This annual event, known as the Police Officer Memorial Run, has a poignant purpose: to honor the memories and sacrifices of fallen officers who once protected their community with valor and dedication.
The run was more than a fitness initiative; it symbolized a tribute to the spirit of the fallen, meant to strengthen the resolve of the recruits about to embark on their own journeys in law enforcement. According to a Facebook post by the Garland Police Department, this run commemorates "the sacrifice made by three of our own while in the line of duty." These individuals, Gerald Walker, Ronnie Lerma, and David Moore, with their end-of-watch dates starkly listed, are not to be forgotten.
As the recruits ran, they collectively shouldered the memories of fallen heroes like Walker, EOW (end of watch) November 15, 1989; Lerma, EOW September 21, 1998; and Moore, EOW February 15, 1997. The Garland Police Department insists that the gesture is a profound expression of respect and gratitude, "a tradition that every recruit class complete this run to remember their service, bravery, and dedication to protecting our community."
