The mother of Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper James Bava was waiting at the finish line Saturday as college students completed the 2018 Badge of Honor Benefit Run in memory of her son, who died in the line of duty.
The 10 students from Culver-Stockton College at Canton, Mo., had never met her son, explained Alyce Bava, moments before the 10K racers finished.
"It gives us a lot of encouragement that our son's life is still making a difference in other people's lives," said Bava, who wanted to support the racers and law enforcement by attending the event, which started at Three Rivers College.
The 25-year-old trooper was killed in 2015 in vehicle accident while pursuing an individual who had fled a traffic stop.
"When I see the uniform, especially the patrol uniform, I see my son," Bava added. "I know the heart my son had to serve his community and protect his community is the same heart that beats behind that uniform."
The fourth annual race drew 192 participants and raised more than $22,000 to support three nonprofit organizations for first responders and their families. The amount is double what was raised in 2017, said race director Jeff Vitale, a captain with the MSHP and commander of Troop E.
BackStoppers provides assistance to the families of police officers, firefighters, paramedics and EMTs who have lost their lives or suffered catastrophic injury in the line of duty. The Missouri Association of State Troopers Emergency Relief Society serves the surviving members of a trooper's family.
Money will also help with the Poplar Bluff Fraternal Order of Police's annual FOP/Cops and Kids Christmas charity program.
Shirley Allison, 54, of Poplar Bluff ran the 13.1-mile half marathon to support local law enforcement. Allison finished second in her age division, with a time of 2 hours, 14 minutes and 52 seconds.
"I wanted to support the cause, for officers and first responders," said Allison.
Warren Ashwell, 71, and his wife, Darlene, came from Cedar Hill, Mo., for the same reason, competing in the 5K. Warren Ashwell's father was a trooper in the 1930s and 1940s.
It was the couple's first race, after melanoma cancer in her left leg prevented Darlene from competing in 2017. Darlene Ashwell finished second in her category, females age 60 and older, with a time of 35 minutes, 59 seconds.
Vitale wants to see the annual race become a draw for Poplar Bluff, something organizers are already finding with entries from Florida, Wisconsin and Michigan, as well as the surrounding communities of Doniphan, Patterson, Ellsinore and others.
Participants included one international entry, Rosalinda Cervantez of the Philippines. The 60-year-old finished minutes after Darlene Ashwell, competing in the 5K race for the second time during a visit with her daughter's Poplar Bluff family.
Several racers said the hilly course was a challenge, including Richard Pestillos, 39. Pestillos finished first among 35-39 year olds in the half marathon, with a time of 1 hour, 56 minutes and 20 seconds.
The male overall half marathon winner, Kevin Bramlett of Jackson, Mo., finished in 1 hour, 34 minutes and 2 seconds. The female overall winner for the half marathon, Megan Boschert of Ellsinore, completed the course in 1 hour 42 minutes and 37 seconds.
For a complete list of winners, see accompanying results list on page B2.
This event would not be possible without the support of volunteers and sponsors, Vitale said.
The three ultimate sponsors this year were Harry Blackwell Dodge, Hefner Furniture and First Midwest Bank.