As you may be aware, the race was first established in 2008 to assist the family of Officer Andrew Widman who was shot and killed in the line of duty on July 18, 2008. Ten years later, our community was deeply saddened by the death of Officer Adams Jobbers-Miller who was shot in the line of duty on July 21, 2018, and subsequently died from his injuries on July 28, 2018.

On Friday, September 18, 2020, at 11 AM, The Southwest Florida Heroes Foundation will be presenting the Fort Myers Police Department with a donation check in the amount of $500 to benefit the annual Cops & Joggers 5K fundraiser. The Southwest Florida Heroes Foundation holds the Andrew A. Widman Memorial Scholarship at the Southwest Florida Public Service Academy which was created in 2019 with the blessings of Officer Widman’s family. The Southwest Florida Heroes Foundation is honored to help promote the annual Fundraiser. Southwest Florida Heroes Foundation proudly accepts the invitation to participate in donating $250 for each Fallen Officer their Agency has suffered over the years.

Proceeds from this year’s event will go to the Fallen Officers’ Memorial Fund and the Brotherhood Ride. The Fallen Officers’ Memorial Fund aids police officers, or the families of officers, who have been killed or injured in the line of duty. The Brotherhood Ride honors fallen police officers and firefighters by riding bicycles to their hometown. The group assists police officers and firefighters, as well as their families, in the event of an illness, injury, or death. Our goal is to have 1,000 participants and raise $20,000.00. Hopefully, having a Virtual 5K will allow us to reach our target!

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact either Officer Mary Ellen Hughes at mhughes@fmpolice.com or 239.246.4382 or Officer Kristi Neroni at kneroni@fmpolice.com or 239.699.8229. 

If you would like to participate in the virtual 5K, visit the signup website to register and to receive more detailed information about the event.