| On the morning of March 31,
2004, the community and surrounding area were directly
impacted by the unfortunate events that took place on the
Congdon Road, Wells Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania.
Bradford County Deputies Christopher Burgert and Michael
VanKuren were slain in the line of duty while attempting to
serve Dustin F. Briggs with an arrest warrant for failing to
appear at a Court hearing. After a thirty-six hour
massive manhunt, which included over thirty law enforcement
agencies, Briggs was captured without incident. On the morning of March 1, 2006, the
community and surrounding area were again directly impacted
with another tragic fatality of an officer "in the line
of duty". New York State Trooper Andrew "AJ"
Sperr, was shot and killed in the Town of Big
Flats. While on routine patrol, AJ, observed
suspicious activity on what was formerly known as Lowe Road
in Big Flats. Upon approaching an occupied suspicious
vehicle, AJ was gunned down by his assailants. After
being shot, AJ did return fire, which ultimately led to the
capture of the suspects. After further investigation
it was determined that the suspects involved, robbed the
Chemung Canal Bank only moments earlier.
In 2005, the Chemung County Deputy Sheriff's
Association and community volunteers developed the
Burgert/VanKuren 5K Run/ Walk to honor the fallen Deputies.
In 2007, due to the overwhelming response of the two prior
years, the Memorial has incorporated into The Burgert/
VanKuren Memorial Foundation, realizing the tragedies in our
small community. Due to the change, the Race/ Walk
will now be known as " A Run to Remember ".
Proceeds will be disseminated to C.O.P.S. (Concerns of
Police Survivors), the National Law Enforcement Officers
Memorial Fund. This year, we are including the St.
Lawrence School in Greece, NY, AJ's hometown, as a
beneficiary.
The Burgert/ VanKuren Memorial
Foundation and speaking on behalf of every Police Officer
wish to thank every business and person in advance on making
this memorial to Deputies Christopher Burgert, Michael
VanKuren, and New York State Trooper Andrew J. Sperr.
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