Union City Holds 5th Annual Ricky 267 5K Run

The fifth annual, Ricky 267 5K Run, was held in Union City on Saturday morning.

The race honors the memory of six Union City Police Officers who passed away while members of the force, and is organized by members of the family of one of those officers, Ricardo “Ricky” Fernandez.

              Approximately 175 runners took part in the race, which began following opening ceremonies at Washington Park along Palisade Avenue.  Many Union City Police Officers ran the course, including Chief Anthony Facchini, as well as Union City students.

            Six $1,000 scholarships, one representing each fallen officer from the Union City force, were awarded to Union City High School students  who have shown an interest in law enforcement and plan to study it while students in college.

The fallen officers whose memories were honored are Ricardo Fernandez and John Kamel; Lieutenants Mark Zeitounian and Gregory Katseyeanis; Detective Alex Ruperto; and Captain James D’Andrea.

The 5K winners were FDU sophomore Matthew Ulloa, a Union City High School graduate on the men’s side and current UCHS track team member Liz Fis for the women.