Each year, hundreds - some avid runners and others recreational walkers - make their way across a designated route, participating in the Annual Derek Hotsinpiller Fallen Stars Memorial 5K. A fundraiser for the Hotsinpiller scholarship, named for the U.S. deputy marshal who lost his life in the line of duty and his dad, the late Bridgeport Police Lt. Jim Hotsinpiller, the race is also a gathering of community support. 

 

This year's race is sheduled for Saturday, June 10 and registration has opened. 

 

Because Hotsinpiller ran regularly to build strength and endurance, the course is a challenging one. Participants gather at Bridgeport City Park,  proceeding down Johnson Avenue to Water Street, up Worthington Drive and across Pearcy Street and Scott Street, up Long Street past Compton Park to Hall Street and ultimately dropping back down Johnson Avenue.

Along that route, spectators will provide plenty of encouragement.

 

“People in the community realize it’s challenging so they come out and are so supportive of the runners,” said Ashley Hotsinpiller, wife of Derek’s brother Dustin and 5K co-organizer. “Little kids write messages with sidewalk chalk and have their own little personal water stations. Some people even play music along the course. It’s great.”

 

Overall winners and those in age/gender categories will be awarded. Once again serving as emcee will be Travis Jones.

 

“Travis comes out and does a wonderful job for us every year,” Ashley said.

 

Also recognized will be those who win law enforcement challenges.

 

“We have teams of officers from the same agency and the team with the lowest combined time wins,” Ashley said. “We always have nice prizes for them like Pirates tickets, backpacks and gear they can use and even rounds of golf. We try to make that really special.”

 

In addition to the fastest team of law enforcement officers, a prize will be awarded this year to the “top cop" who has the fastest individual time.

 

Even those who aren't in Bridgeport can take part. 

 

Initiated by Stacia Hylton, retired director of the U.S. Marshal’s Service, some folks around the country participate in “Run Where You Are.”

 

“Stacia has come to the race every year but one and that’s when her son graduated from high school,” Pam said. “She ran in her community in Virginia that day. She called me on the phone and said she needed to hear when the gun went off so she would know when to start.”

 

 

The James and Derek Hotsinpiller Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to students of Harrison, Lewis, Upshur, Barbour, Taylor, Marion, Wetzel, Doddridge and Monongalia counties who wish to pursue a college degree in criminal justice or social science. Through the year, a variety of fundraisers take place, but the 5K is the primary fundraiser. The annual goal is to raise $15,000.

 

“So we do it in memory of Derek and all fallen law enforcement officers – and we do it to encourage all officers who are still out there every day,” said his mother, Pam Hotsinpiller.

 

 

Some of the students keep in touch with the Hotsinpiller family.

 

“We receive some of the nicest letters,” Pam said.

 

The initial award is $500 and the scholarship is renewable for $500 each semester with a cap of $4,000 per student.

 

“Each semester, we want to see their grade point average and we want to see that they are still in a criminal justice or related field – working toward a degree in the law enforcement field,” she said.

 

The motto of the 5K is “Run, walk or crawl. We want them all.”

 

“This is definitely a family event,” Ashley said. “It’s a celebration of law enforcement.”

 

Music will be playing to pump up participants for the 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. Registration fee is $20. The first 300 people to pre-register are guaranteed a Dri-FIT T-shirt. Everyone else who pre-registers will receive a cotton T-shirt. Packet pickup and race day registration will take place 7-8 a.m. Door prizes and free refreshments will follow the race.

 

Register at the Run Sign Up Web site HERE.

 

Editor's Note: Pictures of previous Fallen Stars Memorial 5K events are by Ben Queen Photography.)