OUPD officers raise funds and awareness for national charity

OUPD officers Aaron Spencer and Ken Kiley work to raise funds for a law enforcement charity event in Washington, D.C.

With a goal of maintaining peace and order, law enforcement officers maintain an important presence in every community in America. Unfortunately, this comes at a price: an officer is killed in the line of duty about every 53 hours.

This October, members of the Oakland University Police Department will travel to Washington, D.C. to ride, run and raise money and awareness of a charity organization that is dedicated to supporting the families of slain officers.

The Law Enforcement Ride & Run to Remember is a fun, community-oriented athletic event that includes a 100K bike ride, a 5K run and a family festival geared to honor officers and encourage community support for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF).

Team OUPD is riding in memory of Mason Samborski, an Oak Park, Mich. officer who was killed in the line of duty in 2008.

The team has worked steadily to raise funds throughout the summer months, hoping to reach their goal of $1,000. They are currently selling T-shirts and accepting donations.

“It’s really nice to see people get behind causes like this,” said Aaron Spenser, OUPD officer. “I would like to thank the families and community around us for their support. The community has shown that it cares for law enforcement officers, and it is nice to be appreciated. It is great to feel supported even in times of calm.”

Five riders are headed to the event, representing OUPD and the Oak Park Police Department. Aaron Spencer, Jessica Spencer, Ken Kiley, Ted Kozlowski and Tom Beaudoin are all set to take on the challenge.

With the event less than a month away, the team is beginning to ramp up their training. If all goes well this year, Kiley and Spencer hope to make it an annual event. For now, they are content to ride this year.

Team OUPD’s corporate sponsors include Bodo Reinholz and Associates, Victory Toyota of Canton, Wyandotte Electric Supply, SimplexGrinnell, Edgewood Electric, The Bronx Deli and Earth 2 Earth T-shirt Supply.

Shirts are still available for purchase for $20 each. For more information or to donate to the cause, view the website at oupolice.com/teamoupd or visit the OUPD page on Facebook.