The sixth annual Jarid Taylor Memorial 5K Run was last Saturday in Durant and it is held in memory of a Bryan County Sheriff’s deputy who died in the line of duty.
Deputy Taylor, 31, was en route to an emergency call on Jan. 14, 2020, when his patrol car slid off the roadway during the rain and struck a tree. The event is held near the end of July because Taylor’s birthday was July 28.
Taylor Shipp is the race director and Taylor’s cousin, and she spoke before the run Saturday morning. She thanked all of those who attended, including the sponsors, volunteers, and most importantly, the runners.
“On behalf of our family, I can’t tell you what it means to us,” Shipp said. “This is absolutely amazing. Thank you so much for being here today. It truly means the world to us.”
She informed everyone what the proceeds from the event will benefit, including the Heart of a Hero award that was started in 2023.
“We now as a family get to go to every CLEET and Kiamichi Tech Police Academy graduation to present the Heart of a Hero award,” Shipp said. “So, we as a family, we sat down and we said these are qualities that Jarid possessed as a person and we challenge the cadets in these academies to vote on a fellow cadet that they feel also possesses those qualities and then we get to go and present a Heart of a Hero award. So, they receive a plaque. They also receive a monetary amount to help them begin their law enforcement career. To date, we have awarded 12 Heart of a Hero awards with our next one being on August 7 at CLEET. So, thank you so much for allowing us to do that.”
Proceeds are also donated to Oklahoma Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS).
“That’s an organization that supports family members and law enforcement officers when they’ve experienced a line of duty death,” Shipp said. “Our family has directly benefited from that organization through things like parents weekend, kids camp, surviving the thriving conferences and just the connections that we’ve been able to make. So, we feel it’s really important to help that organization to continue to reach those people to provide that support.”
Shipp said that to date, more than $20,000 has been awarded to COPS.
Last year, partnerships were started with Bryan County law enforcement agencies, and the Durant Police Department was the partner last year and a large portion of the proceeds were contributed to DPD to benefit their officers with any equipment or supplies that they needed.
“We were able to give $5,000 to Durant PD to help support their officers,” Shipp said. “This year, we are partnering with Bryan County Sheriff’s Office. So, we are extremely grateful to be able to do that all in Jarid’s honor and in his name, so thank you.”
Last year, the Jarid Taylor Memorial Run presented a Blessed Peacemaker award that is presented to a law enforcement officer who demonstrates selfless service, steadfast courage and unwavering commitment to peace.
“They stand as a protector and a true peacemaker in our community,” Shipp said. “These individuals model compassion, strength and integrity that reflect the highest ideals of law enforcement. They exemplify the utmost calling of their profession to serve as guardians of peace, builders of trust and agents of reconciliation.”
The nominees for this year were: Jason Wade, Jake Heath, Jacob Schiller, Ryan Walker and Derek Cacace. Ryan Walker with the Bokchito Police Department was selected for the Blessed Peacemaker award.
Shipp said that as of this week, she did not know the final amount raised yet.
“I am awaiting payment from all of the registrations to come through, but my estimate is $10,000 which will be divided among Bryan County Sheriff’s Office, OK C.O.P.S., and to fund the Heart of a Hero awards (5) from now until next July,” Shipp said, in a message.
