John Taylor Recovery 5k

Ran the John Taylor 5k Recovery run today. I ran with a friend from work who has recently started running an has lost over 30 pounds in the last 6 months. So excited for her. It was a nice run, but had lots of hills. Not a great run for a 5k 1st timer. Anyway the story behind this run is as follows:

It was just a normal autumn afternoon near mile marker No. 172 on I-95 in Halifax County when Officer John Taylor of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department made what he thought would be a routine traffic stop of a 1997 Geo Prism. The normalcy changed to horror as Officer Taylor was met with gunfire and struck four times: once in his throat, again in his chest, in his intestine and, finally, in his arm. This began a terrifying period for John Taylor and his family that left him clinging to life in critical condition. After multiple surgeries at Pitt County Memorial Hospital Officer Taylor has been able to begin his long road towards recovery.

John Taylor is not just a passionate police officer, but he is also a devoted friend and loved by his family. He is a friend to many and hero to even more. John values physical fitness, which may be vital in his recovery process. He loves to participate in 5K races, leisurely and competitively. Through this incident, John has challenged himself to get well enough to run again. With the assistance of his police brothers and sisters, this goal will, hopefully, become a reality.

On Saturday, April 16, 2011, the Police Benevolent Foundation and the NCPBA will be holding the Officer John Taylor 5K Recovery Run. This event is being organized by two officers and friends of John Taylor, Deputy Sheriff J. Puhak and Master Officer M. Moseley. The purpose of this event is to raise community awareness of the dangers in the law enforcement profession and to promote physical fitness. More importantly, we would like to honor Officer Taylor for his sacrifice on that terrible day.

The event will consist of a 5-kilometer (3.10 miles) run and a fun run/walk (1 mile). All participants will receive a commemorative T-Shirt. Participants in the 5K run can have their runtimes tracked and certified. The creators of this event are asking for local support by way of spectators, side-line prayer warriors for Taylor and local law enforcement. Any donations are welcome. The event philosophy is this: Taylor took a physical sacrifice; in turn we will repay him through running, praying and contributing financially for him. All donations are tax-deductible, and the proceeds will be used to aid Officer John Taylor in his lengthy recovery and to support the Foundation created to assist law enforcement officers and their families.

When you lay your head down at night, there is an officer in the dark protecting your community. When you go to work during the day, there is an officer responding to calls and fighting for your neighborhood. Let’s show our support for these officers, deputies and members of the law enforcement community. Most importantly, let’s honor Officer John Taylor.