SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TEAM DEDICATES RACE TO KUREDJIAN RUNNERS TO CARRY FLAG FOR FALLEN FRIEND ON 120-MILE RELAY.Byline: Bhavna Mistry Staff Writer SANTA CLARITA Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, - When he crosses the finish line this weekend in the 2002 Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay, sheriff's Deputy Mike Tunget will carry the flag he designed to honor his fallen comrade, Deputy Jake Kuredjian. The flag is to serve as inspiration during the 120-mile relay that crosses the deserts and mountains and will draw about 215 law enforcement teams from across the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. and Canada. ``Everybody is running extra hard in honor of Jake,'' Tunget said. ``We're running in his memory.'' Deputies from the Santa Clarita Valley The Santa Clarita Valley is the valley of the Santa Clara River in Southern California. It stretches through Los Angeles County and Ventura County. Its main population center is the city of Santa Clarita. The valley was part of the 48,612-acre (19,672. sheriff's station have run in the event the past 15 years, but this year the relay carries a special meaning. ``It's a way of dealing with our loss of Jake,'' station Capt. Don Rodriguez said. ``We are running for Jake and know that he will be with us.'' Kuredjian was gunned down Aug. 31 while backing up federal agents serving a warrant at the Stevenson Ranch Stevenson Ranch, California (in the 91381 ZIP Code) is a Los Angeles County, USA, unincorporated community west of Santa Clarita a few miles south of Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park. The Stevenson Ranch fountain was redone in 2007. home of James Beck
Stanley James Beck (21 February 1929 – 6 August 1973) was an English actor best remembered for his role as Private Joe Walker, the cockney , a former policeman under investigation for possession of illegal weapons. Beck fired at the deputy from an upstairs window, then perished in the gun battle and fire that ensued. Kuredjian was a backup runner during last year's race and wanted to run this year. ``He had seriously expressed an interest to run this year,'' said team captain Sgt. Clint Clint is the diminutive word for the given name Clinton and may refer to: People:
In the past, the race has been more of a team-building experience for the deputies, but year they want to win for Kuredjian. ``Everyone is pouring their hearts out, dedicated to running their best,'' Tunget added. ``Everyone is really motivated mo·ti·vate tr.v. mo·ti·vat·ed, mo·ti·vat·ing, mo·ti·vates To provide with an incentive; move to action; impel. mo .'' Tunget knows that he'll push himself for Kuredjian as he carries the flag in over the finish line of the race. ``When we get there and we feel like quitting, I know I'll see Jake and draw from his memory and use it as inspiration to run harder and faster,'' Tunget said. ``If he could he would be running himself.'' Runners and their support vehicle will be identified by Kuredjian's call sign of 60M2. Deputies anticipate their best finish time ever. ``There's a lot of incredibly fast teams,'' said Bowers, who has served as team captain for the past five years. ``But we've all worked harder than we've ever worked before.'' CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Deputies Mike Tunget, left, and Jeff Sherfey hold the flag they will carry in honor of slain colleague Jake Kuredjian on the Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay this weekend. David R. Crane/Staff Photographer |
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