Inaugural event in memory of fallen SMPD Officer and Marine Rick Crocker
By Sam Catanzaro
The Inaugural Rick Crocker Challenge is set for tomorrow, a 5K run/walk in honor of fallen SMPD Officer and Marine Corps Reserve Major, Ricardo Crocker.
The event, put on by the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) and the Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL), is in memory of Crocker, who was killed by a rocket propelled grenade while on tour in Iraq on May 26, 2005.
“Previous to being redeployed to Iraq, Rick was assigned at PAL where he was a passionate advocate of programs which mentored PAL youth in their scholastic and outdoor activities,” wrote SMPD Lieutenant Rudy Flores in a press release.
PAL is a city youth program that offers free after school programs to youth ages 6- 17 years that live and/or go to school in Santa Monica.
Participants will meet in the afternoon on Wednesday, May 26 outside PAL’s offices (1401 Olympic Blvd). According to the SMPD, 23 children of the community will each be paired with a police officer, and together will run five laps around Memorial Park to complete the 5k.
“This event was created to raise funds for quality youth programs at PAL, and to provide another great opportunity for SMPD Officers to continue creating positive relationships with the most vulnerable youth of our community,” Flores wrote.
