Blue Ribbon 5K to benefit C.O.P.S.

Woman who organized race for Mazany family continues support

Mentor resident Melissa Evans continues her quest to ensure that late patrolman Mathew Mazany is remembered.

She organized the Blue Ribbon 5K race/walk last September to benefit the fallen officer’s family and she has another such event planned for Sept. 8.

This time, however, she is expanding the scope

of the proceeds to benefit Ohio C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors), at the suggestion of Mentor Police Department.

“So many officers lose their lives making the ultimate sacrifice,” said Evans. “This organization is amazing for support to those who lost a loved one.

“The Mazany family fully supports this organization and compliments them highly.”

Each year, roughly 150 officers are killed in the line of duty, according to the C.O.P.S. website. The nonprofit was organized in 1984 with 110 individual members and, today, its membership is more than 48,000 survivors, including spouses, children, parents, siblings, significant others and co-workers.

“They provide support from the very beginning and continue as long as the family needs (or) wants the support,” Mentor Police Chief Ken Gunsch said. “They sponsor retreats to all survivors and are a big supporter of National Police Week.

“C.O.P.S. Ohio assisted during the death of Officer Mazany and continues to be a support to all survivors affected by his death. I would encourage people to attend this run to support C.O.P.S. Ohio.”

Mazany was struck by a car and killed in June 2018 while providing backup to another officer on Route 2. The driver, Brian Anthony, was sentenced to 11 ½ years in prison in the hit-and-run crash.

He and his family will always be a part of the race, Evans said.

“His police number is part of our new logo and always will be,” she said. “He will not be forgotten.”

Evans, a past runner and current service adviser at Mentor Kia, said all officers deserve to go home to their loved ones, “just like me when I leave my job.”

“I never met Officer Mazany, but I have gotten to know his family,” she said. “They are incredibly strong.”

The first Blue Ribbon 5K drew about 285 runners and walkers, and raised more than $6,500.

“I plan on making this a yearly event and maybe even growing it in the future,” she said.

The race is being conducted with the help of Second Sole in Mentor and Greater Cleveland XC, as well as Mentor Police Department.

Current sponsors are Mentor Kia, Mentor Mitsubishi, Lanigan Heating and Cooling, and Animal Medical Center of Euclid.

The race begins at 8:30 a.m. at Mentor Police Station, 8500 Civic Center Blvd. Cost is $20 in advance and $25 on race day.

Registered runners will get a $10 gift card to Hooley House, a shirt, a blue beaded necklace, chipped time bib and a logo sticker.

To register, visit gcxcracing.com/blueribbon.

For more information, to make a donation or to sponsor the event, contact Evans at chefmjb21@gmail. com.