About 2,200 runners took to Market Street in Philadelphia on Sunday morning for the eighth annual Run for Blue, showing support for law enforcement and the families of officers killed or injured in the line of duty.
This year’s event carried added significance following a shooting that killed Philadelphia Police Officer Shane Seiber and wounded Officer Hector Rodriguez in a shooting on Oct. 10.
The officers were responding to a call when they were shot multiple times. Rodriguez remains hospitalized but is improving, according to Maureen Rush, president of the Philadelphia Police Foundation.
Rush said registrations increased following the shooting, with many people signing up to show their support for the officers and their families.
“Many people signed up after the tragic situation last Saturday with the death of Officer Sieber. Officer Rodriguez is doing better in the hospital. But people started to register after that more and more,” Rush said.
The foundation said proceeds from Sunday’s race will go directly to both officers’ families.
“This is a sad time. And to cap it off, with this kind of a celebration and seeing all the support that came in here today and people stuck around, they needed this. They were getting hugs from each other for this,” Rush said.
Beyond the celebrations and medal ceremonies, the event also highlighted the sacrifices made by the families of first responders.
Philadelphia City Councilmember Mark Squilla emphasized the daily uncertainty those families face when their loved ones leave for work.
“It’s important to understand their challenges, but also their wives, their families and all that have to go through daily worrying about what happens when an officer goes to work, whether they’re going to come home that day,” Squilla said.
For Marissa Fitzgerald, that fear became a reality in February 2023 when her husband, Temple University police Sgt. Christopher Fitzgerald, was shot and killed while on duty during a foot chase.
Fitzgerald participated in Sunday’s race to honor her late husband, who made the event an annual tradition.
“This was my late husbands favorite run, he ran it every year,” Fitzgerald said.
She said running the race helps her feel connected to him, especially when her brother carries a flag in his honor.
“I do, I do. My brother Josh runs with his flag every year, and it slaps me on my face. So I feel like he was slapping me today, like wake up, keep running,” Fitzgerald said.
The day brought another emotional moment when a team running in Christopher Fitzgerald’s honor won the law enforcement competition.
Fitzgerald said the victory was about more than honoring her husband. It was also a tribute to every officer who has died in the line of duty and those who continue to serve.
“I know he would be so proud that, you know, we show up when we come out, but not just for him, but for every single fallen officer who has been killed in the line of duty. And for those who put on that uniform every day to risk their lives,” Fitzgerald said.
The show of support comes as Philadelphia prepares to say a final goodbye to Officer Seiber.
A commander’s march and public viewing are scheduled for Monday evening at the John F. Givnish Funeral Home on 10975 Academy Road in Philadelphia from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Funeral services will follow Tuesday.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication.
