John Brubaker from North Yarmouth is starting Maine's first ever Blue Ribbon Walk to support law enforcement and their families by walking a mile in a police officer’s shoes. 

Cop deaths double in 2016 (and we have months to go). Do your spouse and kids worry if you’ll make it home from work safely at the end of the day? Most don’t but families of police officers do.

That's why John Brubaker has founded the inaugural Blue Ribbon Walk to take the lead in supporting law enforcement and their families by walking a mile in a police officer’s shoes. The first event of its kind, Blue Ribbon Walk is an outward gesture of support and appreciation for law enforcement officers all over the country. The event also raises funds to provide assistance for families of fallen officers through partnership with Concerns of Police Survivors.

Brubaker will be walking 50 miles in their shoes, literally. In a pair of police tactical boots, Brubaker and his participants are going to walk from the Gray State Police barracks to State Police headquarters in Augusta on September 10-11, 2016. They will be accompanied by police escorts from the State Police as well as the Cumberland, Androscoggin and Kennebec County sheriff’s offices.

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C.O.P.S. is a national 501c3 nonprofit that supports families of police officer’s killed in the line of duty through peer support, scholarships, counseling programs and other resources to help families rebuild their shattered lives.
 
“The Maine State Troopers Association is proud to collaborate with Mr. Brubaker to help raise awareness and honor the men and women behind the badge who have paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting their communities. On behalf of all the men and women who don the uniform of a state trooper, lest we forget the ten troopers who have died in the line of duty and also pay tribute to their families.” - Aaron Turcotte, President, Maine State Troopers Assoc.
 
While the event is headquartered in Maine there are also walking teams participating remotely in 15 different states. This is your chance to join.
WHAT: 50-Mile Blue Ribbon Walk
WHEN: Sept 10-11 2016
WHERE: The walk begins at 8am the Maine State Police Barracks parking lot,1 Game Farm Rd, Gray, ME 04039 and end at Maine State Police Headquarters 45 Commerce Dr. Augusta.

 

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