Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
September 25, 2024 – Amarillo, Texas
San Antonio Detective Benjamin Garcia has officially set off on his ambitious 800-mile run from Amarillo, Texas, to McAllen. As of today, September 25, 2024, Garcia is en route to honor the South Texas Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), a cause close to his heart. His trek will culminate at the McAllen Police Department Memorial on Bicentennial Boulevard, where he is scheduled to arrive on October 16, 2024.
Garcia, a seasoned marathon runner with several 100-plus mile races under his belt, aims to cover 40 miles daily over the next three weeks. This endurance feat is evidence of his physical capabilities and solidarity with the families of law enforcement officers who have fallen in the line of duty.
TEXAS BORDER BUSINESS spoke with McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos on the phone. The mayor expressed his full support for Garcia’s run and committed to assembling a welcoming committee upon his arrival. “We are deeply honored to welcome Detective Garcia and support his efforts in raising awareness for such an important cause,” Villalobos said. The city of McAllen stands behind him.
In addition to support from the McAllen community, Texas Border Business is collaborating with Detective Garcia to track his run and keep the public updated on his progress. Throughout his journey, Garcia will engage with communities along the route and make stops in various cities, where local law enforcement officers will join him in his run—a symbolic show of friendship as he makes his way deep south.
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Garcia, wearing his trusty “Rusty Nail” cap and “Bracking Guns” shirt, gave shout-outs to his sponsors and supporters, thanking them for making this run possible. He also encouraged his followers to donate to the South Texas Chapter of C.O.P.S., stressing the importance of the cause. He highlighted how crucial these donations are in helping families of fallen officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Throughout his run, Garcia regularly posts on social media, motivating others to support his cause. “I’m running with you,” Garcia declared in his latest post, accompanied by a QR code link for donations.
The event is expected to bring increased attention and donations to C.O.P.S., an organization dedicated to supporting families affected by the loss of law enforcement officers.
As Detective Garcia embarks on this journey, communities across Texas are rallying in support, and many are expected to donate to this vital cause. His run represents much more than an athletic feat—it’s a tribute to fallen heroes and a reminder of the daily sacrifices law enforcement officers and their families make.
Follow Detective Garcia’s journey, share the word, and consider donating to help families who’ve lost their loved ones in the line of duty.
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