PORT ANGELES — When Teri Price runs the Boston Marathon April 20, she will have inspiration to make it to the finish line.
The Port Angeles woman is running in the famous race to raise donations for the Washington State Concerns of Police Survivors in honor of slain U.S. Forest Service Officer Kris Fairbanks.
Price’s quest began with a run and a song.
She was running in the Royal Victoria Marathon last October and was struggling with the last 6-or-so miles.
“I reached about 20 miles, and I just didn’t know if I could finish,” she said.
“Right at that moment this song came on my iPod and really pushed me through.”
The song was “Pocket Full of Sunshine,” and Price had most recently heard it at the memorial service for Fairbanks, chosen by Fairbanks’ daughter.
“I ended up finishing with a time qualifying for the Boston Marathon,” Price said.
Fairbanks, as well as Richard Ziegler, a Sequim-area retiree, were both shot to death by Shawn Matthew Roe on Sept. 20.
Roe then stole Ziegler’s pickup and drove to a Blyn convenience store, where he was discovered, drew a gun on officers and was shot to death by two Clallam County sheriff’s deputies.
Fairbanks’ memorial service drew thousands of mourners, including police officers from throughout the region, K-9 officers, community members and family.
And it inspired Price to take something off the back burner of her to-do list.
“I had set out originally to put that notch on my bucket list — Run in the Boston Marathon? Check.
“But then I thought that this was something I could really leverage for good.”
Price said she wanted to do something that could encourage people to reach out and help — and perhaps get some closure.
Although some people donate a simple sum of money, many donate per mile, Price said.
“I will finish — even if I have to crawl to the end,” she said.
Although she never knew Fairbanks personally, Price’s husband, Doug, was once a State Patrol officer.
“He had the pleasure of working with her,” Price said.
“What has struck me time and again is that this community doesn’t have any sense of closure or follow-up after that horrible day last September when Kris was killed.
“I’ve seen tears dripping off the chins of people who didn’t know her personally but were so moved by the incident.”
So Price set up an account at First Federal Bank and began to spread the word.
Two other runners who were going to the marathon joined in the effort — Michele d’Hemecourt and Greg Good.
Good, however, pulled a muscle running and likely won’t make it to the race, Price said.
She and d’Hemecourt have continued to talk to area people and groups about donating.
“The thing I really like about this group is they help the survivors at the worst times of their lives,” Price said.
She said she selected the group when thinking about Fairbanks’ teen daughter Whitney.
“I just kept thinking about how she had lost a key person in her support system,” Price said.
To donate, go to any First Federal branch under the Boston Marathon for Kris Fairbanks account or visit www.krisfairbanks.org to send in a pledge.
Price said she will collect donations after returning from the marathon.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
