5K9 fun run a success
Some of the participants: Lt. Laura Henry, Cpt. Josh Herren, Lt. Terrance Ley, Lt. Scott Dawson, Sgt. Josh Mize, Capt. Jonathan Goforth, Sgt. Zack Peabody, Officer Josiah Edminsten, Ret. Steve Abernathy and Branden Gulliver with Sgy. Bradyn Nucci taking center stage. (Photo by Maxine Wheelan)
By Maxine Wheelan
Staff Writer
More than 30 runners took part in a 5K run fundraiser to buy a new K9 officer for the Midwest City Police Department last Saturday at Joe B. Barnes Regional Park. The event was sponsored by the Midwest City Police Department Awards Committee and the Midwest City Citizens Police Academy Alumna Association. Members met the night before at the FOP Lodge to get ready for the big day with hopes of no rain.
The 5K started at 7 a.m. with more than 30 participating in the 5K before it got too warm and many volunteers were on hand to sell t-shirts and face masks that Tracy Haus donated. Tracy is retired from Tinker and made over 100 beautiful original face masks. Councilwoman Susan Eads, Ward 1, and Councilman Pat Byrne, Ward 2 were present to help.
Chief Brandon Clabes as well as many of the officers along with Mayor Matt Dukes and wife Norita were ready to participate in the 5K. Hiawatha Bouldin who is instrumental in seeing that the Veterans Memorial is always honored was also present.
The backdrop for the K9 saw David Munson as the trainer, but Arella, Patricia Pratts beautiful dog just looked on.
Runners participate in the 5K9 run last Saturday at Joe B. Barnes Regional Park. (Photo by Maxine Wheelan)
5 Water stops were set up and manned by members of the Citizens Police Academy Alumna.
Joey, the retired K9 will have his home with Lt. Matt Clauson and Sgt. Kyle Skelton will be responsible for the new K9 that will be picked up sometime in November. He will be named after arriving in Midwest City and as Sgt. Skelton says the first two years will be the most difficult, getting acquainted and each learning the ways of the other.
A special thanks to Crest Grocery for donating all the water and to Buddy’s Produce for the boxes of beautiful bananas. The Midwest City Chamber 2020 Leadership Class gave a donation as did the Midwest City Council.
The sponsors on the shirts also deserve special thanks as well as the many businesses and individuals that donated door prizes to these lucky winners: Stephen Abernathy Justin and Amber Curling, Debra Wagner, Jennifer Kaut, Rachel Lawrence, Susan Planer, Brad Lawrence, Eugene and Lisa Peabody, Josh Mize, Eric Doolittle, Stacy Brown, Scott Dawson, Chantry and James Oxner and Josh Herrin.
By 11 a.m. the group was packed up and ready to call it a great day as the rain never showed up. The New K 9 will be getting special attention for all to see as soon as he? arrives and is ready to meet the public.
Chief Brandon Clabes, Kim Curling, Joyce George, Lt. Laura Henry, Mayor Matt Dukes and wife Norita. (Photo by Maxine Wheelan)
