From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
ORLANDO, Fla. — A 10-year-old boy in Orlando honored a Tuscaloosa Police Officer Wednesday night by running a mile with a blue line flag.
Zachariah Cartledge ran the mile on his school’s track in honor of Officer Dornell Cousette. Seven laps around the track is one mile. Behind Cartledge, were officers from six law enforcement agencies. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, the Maitland Police Department, the Casselberry Police Department, the Sanford Police Department and the City of Winter Springs Police Department had officers at the track, either running with Cartledge, driving their car behind him or saluting during the run. An Orange County officer also played bagpipes during the run.
During the final lap, the patrol vehicles sounded their sirens in honor of Cousette.
Cartledge runs a mile for each fallen officer in the United States. He then sends the folded blue line flag and a handwritten letter to the family of each fallen officer. Cartledge founded a non-profit called Running 4 Heroes. According to the non-profit’s website, its mission is to raise funds for injured first responders while paying tribute to our Fallen Heroes through running.
Officer Cousette, 40, was shot and killed on Monday, Sept. 16, 2019, after he entered a home to arrest a wanted suspect. Cousette worked in youth services for TPD. He leaves behind two daughters and a fiancee. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, Sept. 22 at Shelton State Community College Martin Campus.
