The Denver Police Foundation (DPF) is hosting an inaugural Honor The Fallen walk, run, workout event to honor the 72 Denver Police Department members who have died in the line of duty.

People gather at cemeteries across Denver metro to honor fallen Denver police officers

The week-long event will run in conjunction with National Police Week that begins on Sunday and goes through May 15. The week was designated by President John F. Kennedy in 1962. 

Although the Denver Police Department hosts a ceremony each year to honor its fallen officers, the community is rarely involved. The new event is designed to get the community more engaged.

“The Honor the Fallen event allows for the community to hear and see what the department does to honor the fallen and participate in their own way to say thank you and recognize those officers,” said Megan Pletcher, the executive director for the DPF.

There is no distance requirement for the event, but officials urge participants to consider walking or running passed one of the 34 memorial markers around the city or the police headquarters. 

While there, people are asked to take a 72-second moment of silence to remember the fallen officers. 

Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen, Deputy Chief Barb Archer and other members of the department’s command staff will will join the walk on Wednesday. 

Archer said it’s an honor have the Denver community join in honoring the fallen colleagues.

“We really appreciate the show of support and recognition of the 72 officers who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting our city,” Archer said in an email statement to The Denver Gazette.

“It is also important for the families of the fallen officers to know that their loved ones are not forgotten and to have their legacies acknowledged and honored.

Denverites interested in participating in the event can register by clicking here. 

Each participant will receive a HTF t-shirt after paying a tax-deductible registration fee of $40. 

Denverites interested in participating can register