Modesto police detective to take on California International Marathon in full duty gear

The Modesto police detective who ran a half marathon in full duty gear to raise money for the families of fallen officers is now taking on a full marathon.

Detective Sean Dodge will be running 26.2 miles along with Folsom police Sgt. Eric Baade wearing about 22 pounds of gear, including boots, bulletproof vests, belts and duty weapons, in the California International Marathon on Sunday.

Dodge ran the Peace Officers Memorial Run in September in full duty gear, along with Turlock police Sgt. Neil Cervenka and Stanislaus sheriff’s Capt. Jim Gordon. Between the three of them, more than $17,000 was raised for the Peace Officer Memorial Group of Stanislaus County.

Dodge got the idea from Baade, who ran the California International Marathon in full duty gear in 2015. He tried contacting Baade over the summer about running one together but didn’t hear back from him for a few months. Baade had been on sick leave after donating a kidney to a Sacramento County sheriff’s deputy.

Recovered from the surgery, Baade agreed to run the California International Marathon again in uniform, this time with Dodge. They will also be carrying a “blue line” American flag.

Dodge is using the YouCaring account he set up for the Modesto half marathon to continue collecting donations for the California International Marathon.

Any amount collected over the $7,836 Dodge raised for the Modesto run will be split between Northern California Concerns of Police Survivors and Central California Concerns of Police Survivors, with the request that the money be dedicated solely to assist the families of those who have lost a loved one in the line of duty.

To donate, go to www.youcaring.com/peace-officer-memorial-group-of-stanislaus-county-546662.

Dodge and Baade will be handing out cards with the fund information at the marathon Sunday, so the account will remain active and accepting donations until Dec. 31.

On a related note, two Los Angeles Police Department officers, Joe Cirrito and Kristina Tudor, are running 420 miles from their city to Sacramento, in full uniform, to raise funds for Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) and the Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation. Donations can be made through bluecoatmusic.org, facebook.com/bluecoatmusic or gofundme.com/endure.

The runners began Sunday, and their journey is expected to take 12 days. They are using off-duty days for the run and are being supported by more than two dozen volunteers also working during their off-duty time.

The LAPD has not said when and where the officers will be passing through the Northern San Joaquin Valley.

This story was originally published November 29, 2016 at 9:35 AM with the headline "Modesto police detective to take on California International Marathon in full duty gear."