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Show HILLTOP TIMES H i lltop S May 23, 2013 5 'Rock Hard Cop Physical Challenge' held for National Police Week BY LORETTA PARK Standard-Examiner staff A ir Force Airman 1st Class Lydia Tejera learned she has to be ready for anything, including pulling a 2,000-pound Humvee. Tejera arrived at the base only two weeks ago, but she was recruited to participate in the "Rock Hard Cop Physical Challenge" on May 16. She didn't know until she got to the site of the competition that the events included pulling a Humvee. "I've never pulled a Humvee before," the young woman from California said. Five teams were participating in the event, with four of the teams from the 75th Security Forces Squadron and one team from the 419th Fighter Wing. The event was sponsored by the 75th SFS and was one of several activities planned for National Police Week, which began Monday with a golf tournament. The events concluded Friday with a memorial retreat and wreath presentation, said Maj. Timothy McCarty, commander of the squadron. National Police Week began in 1962 and is now observed in 42 countries, McCarty said. It took Tejera's team 54 ALEX R. LLOYD/U.S. Air Force seconds to pull the Humvee 100 yards, and that didn't even put them in the top three. Air Force Master Sgt. Nick Bricker's team was first up on the Humvee pull, but it placed second. "Starting off was hard," Bricker said, panting to catch his breath. His team members said they had to move their legs at the same time to move the machine. As they walked back to watch the next team, Bricker pointed to the team preparing to pull the Humvee and said, "Those guys are the Clydesdales. We're just mini-horses." That team, which consisted of leadership from the 75th SFS, took first place, pulling the massive vehicle in 43 seconds. Other events that tested the teams' physical strength were a push-up competition, a tug of war, an 800-yard relay race, a "Keep in Memory System" drill and a dead man carry. Bricker was chosen by his teammates for the push-up competition. The five competi- At left, Master Sgt. Chris Chopp puffs out his cheeks as behind him, Maj. Timothy McCarty (left), and Chief Master Sgt. John Borowski, pull a Humvee. Master Sgt. Cory Berdinner pulls alongside him. Above, (left to right) Airmen 1st Class Kyle Carmen, Brecken Catmull, Brice Naifu and Andrew Brandt carry a litter. tors had to do as many pushups as they could, in correct form, in two minutes. "Don't stop," onlookers shouted at Bricker. "Come on, you can do 20 more," another onlooker shouted, as the timer yelled, "Forty more seconds." Bricker finished that event completing 112 pushups. The teams were given a five-minute break to get some water and rest before regrouping. The squadron has always hosted events during police week, but this was the first year the squadron hosted the physical challenge. Air Force Master Sgt. Daniel Bosche said the squadron hopes that next year law enforcement agencies in the area will join them. The squadron has 300 members and at any given time, 50 to 70 members are deployed in other areas of the world, working as combat patrol and on other missions. The Fortis Defensor team, 75th SFS leadership took the top place in the competition. ALEX R. LLOYD/U.S. Air Force Above, the 75th Security Forces Honor Guard prepares to fire a three-volley salute. Right, a national police prayer is offered as part of the ceremony as members of the crowd show respect by bowing their heads. RETREAT From page 1 Rickards. "We often neglect to remember the spouses, parents and siblings of the fallen and worst of the all, the children. Feeling pride that their parent died while protecting our communities but yearning for the fallen parent is a hard pill to swallow for a child." Following Rickards talk, a wreath was laid in remembrance of those who have given the ultimate sacri- fice. The circle of the wreath represents the unending dedication to the badge and the endless watch of those who swear oaths to protect and serve their communities. The flag was then lowered and removed and a three-volley salute was given by the 75 SFS Honor Guard. Vivian M. Cross, who lost her husband to an accident involving firearms, had her words etched into the marble of the law enforcement memorial and her words rings true now as they did then. 'It is not how these officers died that made them heroes, it is how they lived.' At left, retired Capt. Jack Rickards, Salt Lake City Police Department, speaks at the ceremony. Far left, Senior Airman Brandon Kleve, Master Sgt. Sean Hannah and Senior Airman Brandon Buckner prepare to fold the flag after taking it from the flag pole before folding it for the presentation to their commander. |