5K HONORS FALLEN DEPUTY; 3,000 RACE
More than 3,000 took part in the Zackari Parrish 5K run/walk to show support for the Douglas County sheriff’s deputy who was killed in the line of duty on Dec. 31. The $80,000 raised by the race will be split between Parrish’s family and the families of the six other deputies wounded that day.
Brett Winingham of Highlands Ranch said he usually isn’t a runner — but Saturday morning he was — and it was to honor Zackari Parrish, the Douglas County Sheriff’s deputy who was shot dead New Year’s Eve while trying to reason with a gunman who later became his killer.
Traffic was slow going on the clear and warm day in Castle Rock as thousands came out to show their support at the Zackari Parrish 5K run/walk which was scheduled to start at 9 a.m. at the Douglas County Event Center. The immense turnout of more than 3,000 walkers, joggers, and runners forced organizers to push the start back to 9:30 a.m., giving people more time to arrive.
“I’m sad for the reason were here,” Winingham said while walking briskly in the race. “But, happy we’re here.”
Parrish’s widow, Gracie, spoke at the event.
“You have loved us so well, Denver,” she told the crowd. “Supporting me and loving me so well. I want you to run your hearts out.”
Children, men and women — mostly clothed in black and blue — talked with one another before they took off in the race, taking pictures and recording videos.
A large chunk of the comthey memoration involved people who have, or have had friends and loved ones involved in law enforcement.
“My dad was a police officer when I was a baby,” said Julie Heiman of Parker. “He was shot but he lived. It’s just sad taking a person’s life when they’re trying to protect the community and keep people safe.”
Samantha Konig of Thornton came out with her friend to run for Parrish but also for her boyfriend — Andrew Fitch — who’s an officer with the Broomfield Police Department. She said the whole situation is difficult.
“I know it happens everywhere across the country,” she said, dressed in black and blue. “But especially when it’s close to home.”
Parrish was remembered by people from many walks of life in the community Saturday morning, including a miniature horse, Blue, who showed his support at the event with his owner Ashley Leary, a criminal investigator for the state of Colorado.
“I had heard a lot of good things about him,” she said while petting Blue, who was draped in a blue fleece jacket with a badge patch sewn on it. “It just brings everyone together because it’s a tough deal. It definitely hit close to home when I heard it happened. It was a tough week.”
Organizers ensured everyone that they were not alone: They were now all a family who supported each other. took a “family photo” of everyone before the racers took off, commemorating the moment in time dedicated to Zackari Parrish.
“It’s for a good cause,” Matt St. Martin said while bringing up the rear of the race. “The whole is bigger than the sum of its parts.”
People who knew Parrish described him as courageous and bold, with a zest for life who used humor to de-escalate tense situations.
His life was cut short at 29 by Matthew Riehl, a mentally unstable man who barricaded himself inside his apartment on the final day of 2017. The killing took place at Copper Canyon Apartments in Highlands Ranch, where Parrish was attempting to negotiate with Riehl before he open fired, killing Parrish and wounding six other officers.
Zackari Parrish is survived by his wife and two daughters. He had been working as a Douglas County sheriff’s deputy for seven months. He previously worked for more than two years as a Castle Rock Police officer.
At the end of the race a check for $80,000 was presented, funded by the races registration fees. Half of the money will go to the Parrish family. The other half will go to the families of the six other officers who were injured alongside Parrish.