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Race to donate proceeds to fallen APD officer's family
All the proceeds from this weekend's Atlanta Finest 5K will be donated to an education fund for the children of the Atlanta police officer killed during last week's shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
ATLANTA - Fallen DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose will be honored by the Atlanta Track Club and the Atlanta Police Foundation during an upcoming 5K race.
This year’s Atlanta’s Finest 5K will donate 100 percent of the proceeds to support the family of Officer Rose, who was killed in the line of duty responding to the shooting attack on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s main campus.
Officer David Rose to be honored during 5K race
The backstory:
The 33-year-old Marine veteran, husband and father of two children, with another on the way, was gunned down on Aug. 8.
He served in Afghanistan before returning home and joining the DeKalb County Police Academy, where he graduated top in his class.
During his address to his academy cadets, he spoke about the need for those running toward danger.
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DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose graduation speech
DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose rushed towards the scene of the active shooter near Emory University and the CDC. He died after being shot, according to the GBI. At his academy graduation, Rose was the class leader and spoke at the graduation. He called for officers to respect the badge and remember they do more than enforce laws.
What they're saying:
To his family, he was defined by courage and compassion. His mother said he was "fearless, strong, go-getter and always there for someone in need."
"Atlanta Track Club has long worked with the Atlanta Police Foundation and the Atlanta Police Department to support law enforcement as a thank you for the work they do for us and others all year round," said Rich Kenah, CEO of Atlanta Track Club. "It is my hope that at this weekend’s Atlanta’s Finest 5K, this running community will register en masse. By doing so, we will do our small part to help Officer Rose’s family as they and the entire region mourn his loss and recognize him as the hero he is."
"Officer Rose’s sacrifice reminds us of the courage it takes to protect and serve," said Dave Wilkinson, President & CEO of the Atlanta Police Foundation. "Thanks to our supporters, we can fund vital public safety programs like Crime Stoppers and stand with our DeKalb County partners as we honor his family and all the officers who ran toward danger to keep us safe."
Officer David Rose (DeKalb County Police Department)
Atlanta’s Finest 5K registration
What you can do:
The 5K, which is now in its second decade of honoring metro Atlanta first responders, will take place Saturday, Aug. 16 at Pemberton Place.
Registration is now open.
Learn more details about the race on the Atlanta Track Club's website.
What's next:
A moment of silence will be observed to honor Officer Rose ahead of the start of the race.
The Source: The Atlanta Track Club and the Atlanta Police Foundation provided the details for this article. Previous FOX 5 Atlanta reports were also used.