Local police and friends to will pay tribute to Corp. Jonathan Giles with Nov. 9 5K/3K walk run at Veterans Park

According to the Lemoore Police Department, law enforcement and military personnel are invited to a uniform challenge. All uniformed personnel who wish to participate will run in full duty gear.

Interested runners can register online at the runsignup.com:

https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/Lemoore/MILESFORGILESVETERANSMEMORIAL5KRUN3KWALK

All proceeds will benefit Corporal Giles’ children for their future college needs. The Lemoore Police Officers Association sponsors this event. Interested persons can contribute directly to the Lemoore Police Officers Association rather than run.

It was on November 7, 2018, when the Lemoore Police Department lost one of its own when Corporal Giles took his own life.  Corporal Giles served the Lemoore Police Department and the community with great pride and honorable service since joining the police department in 2013. 

Before becoming a police officer, Giles proudly served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps.  Giles deployed on several occasions during his service as an active duty Marine.

Corporal Giles was beloved in the community.  He was the “Dancing Cop” due to his creative way of making traffic control responsibilities entertaining – and fun – for his peers and the general community.  His dancing moves were broadcast on a local news station, and everyone, including a national audience, got to experience his entertainment value firsthand.

Giles was passionate about his profession and especially excited about developing future law enforcement officers as the department’s advisor for the Explorer program. 

On several occasions, during the year, the City of Lemoore hosts 5K runs where Lemoore Police Department personnel always participate in high numbers.  One of Giles’ claims to fame was that on one particular occasion, and the day of a 5K run, he was working patrol duty, but he showed up and ran the 5K in full uniform.  Giles' mentality was that he was always all-in on everything he did.  

On November 9, 2019, law enforcement officials will pay tribute to Corporal Giles honoring him for his service as a member of the Lemoore Police Department, and for his time in the military.  The 5K/3K walk-run dedicated to Giles’ memory named “Miles for Giles” will help raise awareness for both law enforcement and military suicide prevention. 

According to Blue Help, an organization that honors the service of law enforcement officers nationwide who die by suicide, 180 officers so far have taken their own lives in 2019. Blue Help representatives will be present during the event to provide literature and additional resources to those who want more information about its mission which is to reduce mental health stigma through education, advocate for benefits for those suffering from post-traumatic stress, acknowledge the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers lost to suicide, assist officers in their search for healing, and to bring awareness to suicide and mental health issues. 

For more information on Blue H.E.L.P, visit Bluehelp.org. Lemoore’s very own Circle T Ranch will also provide information about their Equine-Assisted Therapeutic Service program, where certified staff delivers professional and compassionate therapeutic services focused primarily on trauma. Kings County Behavioral Health, Suicide Prevention/LOSS Team,  whose job it is to reach out to families as soon as possible after experiencing the loss of a loved one to suicide. For more information on the LOSS Team, visit www.sptf.org.