California Police Officers Visit Dallas To Run In Marathon
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Thousands of runners will take over downtown Dallas for the BMW Dallas Marathon Sunday, and around two dozen of those runners will be California police officers who are running to pay tribute.
The California officers are running to honor the five Dallas officers were killed during the officer ambush in July.
"It's still something that none of us will ever forget," said Beth Sundquist, who is a Dallas police sergeant and one of the vice presidents of the Dallas Police Association.
California police sergeant Ryan Gill decided to take action along with around 20 Bay Area officers and run in the Dallas marathon... in full uniform.
"I'd already run one marathon wearing my uniform, and it turned out to very therapeutic for me," said Sgt. Gill. "It allowed me to cope with the loss of my friends. I decided I'd do it again in Dallas."
The DPA welcomed officers from the San Francisco and Oakland area along with their families and colleagues.
"I told Ryan, 'We've got the meeting hall, we'll feed you,'" said Sgt. Sundquist.
The DPA treated the officers and their families to a meal Saturday evening before the marathon.
"Being from the west coast, we think of southern hospitality," said Sgt. Gill. "It's overwhelming to see that it's true."
Some of the officers will be wearing bulletproof vests while running in Sunday's marathon.
Sgt. Gill brought a police memorial flag to Saturday's dinner and Dallas and Bay Area officers signed it. He said he will carry the flag with him during the marathon.
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