VCU Police Officer Brings Community Together for Memorial Day Run

Officer Stephen Adt organizes the event as part of a professional development program

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For many Americans, Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of summer.  But the day often carries a more significant and more personal meaning for active duty military personnel and veterans, who take time to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation.

Memorial Day holds a special significance for VCU Police Officer Stephen Adt, a twelve year veteran of the Virginia Army National Guard who served two combat tours.

“The solemn nature of Memorial Day is always what gets me,” said Adt. “That’s the day that we honor bravery and selflessness. I always take time out to say a prayer and remember how many soldiers have come before us and what bravery really means.”

Officers seeking career advancement within the VCU Police Department must complete certain professional development objectives including advanced training, satisfactory completion of physical fitness testing, and development and execution of a community outreach program to better connect the department and its services with the communities it serves. With Memorial Day approaching, Adt saw an opportunity to combine his professional development with his personal passion to fill a void in Richmond’s Memorial Day commemorations.

“Other cities have Memorial Day parades but we don’t,” said Adt.

Drawing inspiration from a silent Memorial Day march he participated in last year, he decided to fulfill his community outreach objective with a silent, solemn run in honor of fallen soldiers.

“It won’t be floats or things like that. It will be people," Adt said.

Throughout the spring, the “Never Forget Memorial Run” took shape as Adt recruited partners and participants for an event that would give Richmonders an opportunity to pay their respects in a unique way.  The Virginia War Memorial became a critical partner in planning and promoting the event and several VCU agencies, including Parking and Transportation, offered their assistance.

When VCU Police Chief John Venuti reviewed Adt’s proposal he offered his support as a participant and offered the assistance of the department, though he knew hard work lay ahead.

“Quite honestly, when I looked at it I thought ‘approved and good luck,’” said Venuti, calling it “by far, without a doubt, one of the most complex, involved community outreach proposals that has been completed.”

Eleven VCU Police officers participated in the event, some on foot as runners, while others assisted with traffic control and safety from bikes or cars.

As the sirens of a VCU Police cruiser and the tolling of church bells signaled the noon start of the event, 200 runners departed the Siegel Center on their silent journey to the Virginia War Memorial. They ranged in ages from five to 75 and followed a flag carried by VCU Officer James Burke, a nine-year veteran of the Virginia Army National Guard who has served three combat tours.

Young and old, veterans, VCU Police officers, members of the VCU community and members of the public silently traveled the 1.4 miles in about 20 minutes. Some of the younger runners arrived a few minutes later, but their presence was critical to the success of the run, according to Adt.

“They were really giving it their all and were really tired at the end,” he said. “But I’m glad they were out there and I can only hope that somebody leaned down and told them why we were out here doing this.”

Once the group assembled at the War Memorial, VCU Officer Ellsworth Pryor IV, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and his son Ellsworth Pryor V, a member of the Army Reserve, retired the colors before Officer Jose DeJesus offered a benediction and presented the flag to Chief Venuti.

“It was a really good feeling going down Belvidere as a group with the flag and seeing people waiting at the War Memorial,” said Venuti. “They presented me with the colors to safeguard until the next event. It was a proud moment for the VCU Police Department because we did what people are supposed to do on Memorial Day which is take a minute to really remember and recognize people who are serving and have served so we can enjoy the things we enjoy every day of the year.”

Following the conclusion of the inaugural event, Adt’s mind immediately turned to runs in the years to come.

“We are trying to make this the Richmond City Memorial Day parade,” said Adt.

But before moving on to future events he allowed himself a moment to reflect on the success of the initial run.

“I’m glad I was able to organize something that was such a success and really draw attention to something I’m passionate about,” he said. “Everything was more than double my expectations. It ended up being a perfect event on a perfect day.”