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As Fox 29’s chief meteorologist, John Bolaris watched colleague Dave Schratwieser’s extended coverage Feb. 13 of the shooting death of yet another of Philly’s Finest, he had had enough.
The sixth cop to die in the line of duty in a little over a year, Officer John Pawlowski had been gunned down while responding to a robbery-in-progess in North Philly.
"I heard that his wife Kim was pregnant with their first child and it really just goes through you; I have a 5-year-old little girl — you feel very saddened and at the same time there has been a series of what I call assassinations on cops. I felt kind of helpless and I wanted to do something about it," Bolaris told the Review.
What Bolaris did will take place in South Philly near the sports complex starting 9 a.m. June 6. The first annual Badges of Honor 5K Run, followed by a family festival with food and entertainment, is being held rain or shine to honor not only fallen cops but firefighters and other public safety officers, like warrant officers.
"This is the first one of many to come. It will be ongoing, hopefully forever," Bolaris said of the event he chose to have in South Philadelphia because of its proximity to the sports arenas.
Twenty-five of the $27.50 registration fee goes to the Fraternal Order of Police Survivor’s Fund; the remainder goes to upkeep of the run’s Web site, www.iamATHLETE.com, Bolaris said.
With six cops slain in the line of duty from Oct. 31, 2007, to Feb. 13 of this year, Pawlowski being the latest casualty, the Survivor’s Fund is tapped out, so Badges of Honor is happening just when it’s needed most, according to Police Department spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore.
"It’s very needed, especially the year we just came out of and Officer Pawlowski already this year. Several officers killed had children. It’s a necessary fund. The FOP monitors the fund, which is used to support the families. I don’t think we ever dreamed when the fund started that we would have to support six different families. This fund has been really depleted. We’re very, very grateful for the support," Vanore said of the monies mostly used to cover funeral costs.
Describing himself as a "starter runner, not competitive," William Yurkow, 57, of the 2100 block of South Front Street, will be among the fleet-footed for the fallen.
"It’s a good run and a good cause. Raising funds for law enforcement is the best thing you can do given that law enforcement is out here putting their lives on the line every day. Being born and raised in South Philly, I can’t think of a better course to run than South Broad Street and FDR park," he said.
To prepare for the 5K, Yurkow is training at Bally’s, 2419 S. 24th St.
"I’m trying to eat less. I run a few times a week down FDR or at Bally’s gym in South Philly on a treadmill. I’ve also been doing some weight training," Yurkow, who is director of finance and administration for the city’s Office of Housing and Community Development, said.
In addition to attending fundraisers for fallen cops, Yurkow has participated in several marathons, including March 21’s American Lung Association of Pennsylvania’s Climb the Tower (Stair Climb Event) at The Bell Atlantic Tower, 1717 Arch St.
Competitive runner Shannon Hanley from Third and Tree streets also is training at Bally’s for Badges of Honor. The 29-year-old missed this year’s Broad Street Run due to a prior commitment, but has raced in the Philadelphia Marathon twice and participated in other area 5Ks over the years. The fact so many cops have lost their lives to violence over the last two years compelled Hanley to sign up for next week’s race.
"I enjoy running because it’s an interest of mine, but it’s also nice to do something for a cause," she said.
Her training includes runs around her neighborhood and using the treadmill at Bally’s while also taking spinning classes.
Anybody who wants to participate in next month’s race but isn’t a runner need worry.
"You don’t have to run, you can walk. Everyone is invited," Bolaris said.
In order to meet the goal of $100,000, 2,500 participants must turn out, he added.
Instead of doing another beef-and-beer benefit or one-time event, the weatherman wanted to make a lasting impression and include the entire city.
"I wanted to do something bigger than that, to keep these lives and their memories alive forever. I wanted something that would continue to perpetuate the lives of these fallen heroes," the on-air talent said, adding he wanted to include firefighters and other officers in the public realm.
After bringing his idea to City officials in March, Bolaris learned the Survivor’s Fund was totally depleted, he said.
"When I approached the City about it, they totally embraced it. They took it and ran with it. They were very, very supportive," Bolaris said.
Mayor Michael Nutter, who will kick off the race at 11th Street and Pattison Avenue, released the following statement May 20: "This is a great opportunity for groups from a wide range of communities to come together and show support for the men and women in uniform who keep us safe every day. I want to thank all involved for making this important event a reality," he said.
Originally, Bolaris wanted the run to go through all of the neighborhoods where the six deceased officers lived but it wasn’t logistically possible.
Instead, check-in and registration is 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the southeast corner of 11th and Pattison. Interested parties also may register ahead of time at www.myfoxphilly.com (under Community Projects, click on the Badges of Honor 5K Run). Runners will take off from 11th and Pattison heading east to Darien Street, continuing north on Darien to Hartranft Street and west to Broad. Proceeding south on Broad to Pattison, runners will traverse Pattison west to Franklin D. Roosevelt Park. They will then journey through FDR Park to its exit on the south end and pick up Pattison north, finishing where they started — 11th and Pattison.
Trophies will be awarded to the first-place winner in each of the following categories: female, male, cop, firefighter, warrant officer. Badges of honor — a silver badge with the run’s logo on it — will be awarded to second- and third-place winners in the above categories.
After the race, the festivities begin with a carnival at Citizens Bank Way that includes food and entertainment. The Eagles cheerleaders and Phillies Ball Girls will be on hand, along with some surprise celebrity guests, Bolaris said.
"I didn’t want to make it so solemn all the way through but more of a celebration of life," he said of the post-race events.
Of course, the father of this brainchild is taking to the streets in his running shoes and he’s hoping the weather cooperates, because, after all, he is a weatherman.
"Rain or shine, if I screw up this forecast I’ll wind up firing myself," he said with a laugh.
