LAPD Officers Honor Fallen Peers With Run To Sacramento

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- Two Los Angeles Police officers have set out on a 12-day run from LA to Sacramento, a 420 mile trek.

Through "Project Endure," officers Joe Cirrito and Kristina Tudor kicked off their run Sunday morning.

"I feel great, feel real good. We have a long way to go, so you can ask me in about 200 miles or so," said Officer Cirrito.

The run is for a great cause,  to raise awareness and funds for the families of officers killed in the line of duty.

Ciritto and Tudor will be running from the LA Police Academy to the Fallen Officers Memorial in Sacramento.

"For the past year I've been running 2-3 times a day, a lot of circuit training, to make sure I have enough strength, cause we'll be running in full police uniform," said Officer Tudor.

Both have been training, running 10-20 miles a day and they'll be going on this journey in full uniform, with roughly 25 pounds of gear.

Every 20 miles, they'll be switching off,  giving each other time to recover.

"He's out there running now, and when he's done I"ll pick up for the next leg," said Officer Tudor.

The run is honoring officers killed in the line of duty.

"Running up to the police memorial seemed fitting enough, given the recent police deaths in the country, to let them know they're not forgotten," said Tudor.

As the officers make their way to the capitol, Sacramento Police will be ready to join them.

"We have a number of our officers that will be taking part in the run with them as they come up on the final leg of the journey, to the capitol and the fallen officer memorial," says Sacramento Police Officer Matthew Mcphail.

It's been a difficult year for law enforcement, Mcphail says while the Sacramento department has been fortunate to not lose an officer, 20 officers and deputies in other areas have been killed just this month, nearly one a day.

"It strikes all of us close to our heart, many of our officers know these individuals personally," he said.

And for the two LAPD officers, that's all the inspiration they need.

"Just knowing we can hit the pavement in honor of them, is very motivating for me," said officer Tudor.

The officers are expected to arrive in Sacramento December 8th.

The run aims to raise funds for families of fallen officers.  There's a Go Fund Me account through Project Endure, where you can donate

Money will go to the Police Memorial Foundation.