Running to remember those who gave all

At 8 a.m. on May 1, officers embarked from Clark County on the first of 103 segments of a run to Carson City.

Their mission: To remember the fallen.

Each segment of the run represents a different officer who has served and died in the line of duty in the Silver State.

The Nevada Law Enforcement Memorial started nine years ago " and this year, one leg was added to remember another fallen officer.

Reno-based NHP officer Kara Kelly Borgognone, 33, was killed in a crash while responding to a bomb scare at a Spanish Springs convenience store in late February.

Wednesday, Sparks Police commander Gary Potter, the organizer of the event for Northern Nevada law enforcement, spoke of the week-long run and of remembering one of the region's fallen this year.

"I do this because it's a time to honor those who've given everything in the line of duty," he said. "The run is meaningful. It's a time for all of us to reflect."

Participants come from all over the state and consist of on-duty officers and volunteers.

On a breezy 60-degree afternoon, a pair of Douglas County deputies headed north on U.S. 395 in the shadow of the Sierra.

One carried a baton with the names of each of the deceased tucked inside.

As runners maintained a 10-minute mile clip on the capital city's outskirts, Carson City Sheriff's SWAT members limbered up a mile north of Johnson Lane to take on the last leg of the run " which finishes in front of the Legislative Lawn.

"It's really enjoyable," said Lt. Ken Sandage, clad in a black SWAT t-shirt, spit-shined boots and black khakis, as he prepared to don a navy blue commemorative shirt prior to his run at noon. "It's enjoyable, but it's hard at the same time. You think a lot about the people who gave all."

Sandage said he's run at least one leg in the marathon event in each of the past six years. Running is a part of his daily training routine. But, when this time of year draws near, he said, the motivation level "definitely goes up."

"You want to keep these officers' memory alive," he said. "Not just for those of us who also serve " but mostly for their friends and family."

An official memorial gathering to honor those who've given all in the line of duty in Nevada will take place at 1 p.m. today on the grounds between the Capitol and the Legislative building.

The run covers 400 miles and involves all branches of law enforcement from throughout the state, organizers said " including some aspiring ones.

Five teen members of the POST Explorers from Carson City helped bring the baton here. Matt Sampson, 16, James Spencer, 18, Devin Devries, 16, Emma Chambers, 15, and Marie Wilson, 19, all said they'd like to pursue careers in law enforcement. Being asked to participate in the memorial run was a "great honor," according to Spencer, the group's commander.

"I think what we're doing is really an eye-opener," he said. "It's just awesome. I think members of the public can appreciate what (law enforcement) goes through.

"We don't get too many chances to stop and think about it."