“Everybody thinks Derek liked to run,” said Pam Hotsinpiller about her son, the late U.S. Deputy Marshal Derek Hotsinpiller. “But he didn’t. He just didn’t like to lose.”

 

Because of that, he ran. And because he knew that running hills built strength and endurance, the Annual Derek Hotsinpiller Fallen Stars Memorial 5K features a challenging course. People from surrounding states and others around the nation come each year to participate. Some are avid runners determined to beat their own personal time and the times of others. Some come simply to support the event, proceeds which are used to provide scholarships to young people pursuing careers in law enforcement.

 

Scheduled for June 11, this year’s 5K will kick off at Bridgeport City Park, after which runners and walkers – some with babies in tow or walking their dogs - will proceed through the course 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.

 

Since registration opened in January, about 100 individuals have registered, Ashley said. By race day, it is anticipated that more than 600 participants will be on board. 

 

“We have people register who cannot participate, but still want to support the race financially,” Ashley said.

 

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.”

 

Following suit, Derek's Uncle Terry Hotsinpiller and his wife Brenda mapped out their own 5K course while visiting Costa Rica during last year's race. 

 

The 5K annually honors DUSM Derek Hotsinpiller, who was fatally wounded while serving a warrant in Elkins on Feb 16, 2011, and his dad James Hotsinpiller, who was serving Bridgeport Police Department when he died unexpectedly in 2001. 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,” Pam said.

 

Each participating law enforcement officer will receive a small token of appreciation, including a written prayer – handpicked by Pam, based on Psalm 91.

 

“I’m asking people to pray this over our law enforcement officers over the coming year, encouraging and supporting them, but most importantly, asking God’s protection over them,” Pam said.

 

The official 5K T-shirt will feature names of members of law enforcement who have died during the past year.

 

To date, the Hotsinpiller Scholarship has been awarded to 28 students. Several more will receive it this June. 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.

 

Pam has walked the race every year since the inaugural event, but this year she'll have to sit it out because of an injury. But she'll be there to cheer on others. 

 

Register at Active.com HERE.

 

For more information on the 5K or the May 25 fundraiser at Buffalo Wild Wings, click HERE. 

 

Editor's Note: Pictured from top: Derek Hotsinpiller, the Hotsinpiller family (left to right) Derek, Pam, Dustin and Ashley) and participants of former Fallen Stars Memorial 5K Events, courtesy of Ben Queen Photography.)