Local nonprofits run in honor of fallen police officer Kyle Hicks

Impassioned runners and walkers participated in an honor run along the bayfront Monday night for fallen Corpus Christi Police Department officer Kyle Hicks.

They gathered at Water's Edge Park around 6:30 p.m. on April 29 to run in remembrance of the officer, who died on April 24 of injuries sustained from a gunshot wound he received while responding to a domestic disturbance and call of gunshots fired at a Southside apartment complex early Saturday morning, April 20.

Runners wore blue shirts and athletic wear to show solidarity with officers in uniform. Many attendees carried blue-lined American flags signifying the police force that waved behind them in the wind.

Laura Flores, a coordinator of the Corpus Christi Southside Runners group, which organizes meetups for joggers and runners around the city and posted the announcement of the honor run on social media, said a phenomenal number of people showed up for the event, including those who are active with six or seven local running groups.

"It was many more runners than we anticipated, and a great opportunity to show the support that our officers deserve, who put on a uniform every day and sacrifice so much for us," she said. "Events like this are the least that we can do to bring more awareness and let the family know that we support them and our prayers are with them."

The runners' group partnered with Team BlueLine, a nonprofit organization that holds triathlons, cycling races, road races and trail runs across the U.S. to raise money through Team BlueLine Racing and provide funding to people who have lost family members who are officers.

"For our community, it's a rare occasion," said runner Shannon Hathaway. "We held an event for CCPD officer Alan McCollum. My husband and I joined because our son was a police officer. It's an opportunity to bring awareness and support to the community so people understand the sacrifice."

An officer from the CCPD crime reduction unit rode a police bike during the event and said he appreciated that it was organized by civilians.

"This kind of overwhelming response from the community does not go unnoticed by any of us," said officer Jodie Fedler. "We need to make sure we continue to maintain and not lose support from our community."

At 12:32 a.m. on April 20, Hicks and fellow officers were dispatched to the Summer House Apartments in the 5400 block of Burnham Drive in reference to a male and female involved in a disturbance with shots fired, according to a news release on the CCPD blotter.

At the door of the apartment, officers heard the disturbance and made contact with the suspect, who began struggling as soon as officers apprehended him.

Police say the man pulled a gun, shooting Hicks at least once and wounding him. Hicks was subsequently transported to a local hospital and put in an intensive care unit.

One of the assisting officers shot and killed the suspect at the scene, who was identified on April 22 as 26-year-old Colten Foster, according to the Nueces County Medical Examiner.

Hicks was immediately hospitalized with serious injuries after the shooting and a GoFundMe was set up by fellow police officer Denise Pace to support his family by raising money for any medical expenses.

More: Officer shot, suspect killed on 5400 block of Burnham Dr.

More: CCPD officer Kyle Hicks dies from injuries sustained in the line of duty

More: GoFundMe donations sought for CCPD officer wounded Saturday morning

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Local nonprofits run in honor of fallen police officer Kyle Hicks