FMPD S.W.A.T. Team Runs for Ranger Josh Hargis

On January 26, 2014 at 3 p.m., active and retired members of the Fort Myers Police Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics team (SWAT) will run to raise public awareness and financial support for Corporal Josh Hargis. Corporal Hargis was severely wounded losing both legs from the knee down in Southern Afghanistan on October 6, 2013, along with other members of the 3^rd Battalion, 75^th Ranger Regiment. Hargis was transported to a military hospital where millions bore witness to Corporal Hargis’ “Salute Seen Around the World”. Members of the Hargis family will be walking 222 miles from Fort Stewart, Georgia to the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning, Georgia during the month of February to raise awareness during “The Warrior’s Walk.”

FMPD S.W.A.T. Commander Lieutenant Jeffrey Bernice is coordinating an event in Fort Myers that’s been dubbed, “The Josh Hargis Ranger Run.” Over a period of 45 hours active and retired FMPD S.W.A.T. members will attempt to cross the Edison Bridge 222 times to symbolize the 222 miles “The Warrior’s Walk” will accomplish. “We wanted to show our support here on a local level for Corporal Hargis and members of his family who are also part of our family at FMPD”, said Lieutenant Bernice. Josh’s wife Taylor is the daughter of retired FMPD Captain Scott Griffith and retired FMPD Detective Jennifer Ladelfa. Captain Griffith was also a former S.W.A.T. team member at FMPD.

Corporal Hargis has sent Lieutenant Bernice a tomahawk (picture attached) he carried in Afghanistan that will be carried in each of the 222 miles here in Fort Myers. One S.W.A.T. team member at a time will travel in 60 pounds of full tactical gear two miles (over the bridge and back) with tomahawk in hand before handing it off to the next runner. “Support and public awareness to the sacrifices of Corporal Hargis as well as all the men and women overseas is our ultimate goal”, said Lieutenant Bernice. Several of the active and retired members of FMPD’s S.W.A.T. team served in the Ranger Regiment like Corporal Hargis or have been awarded the Ranger Tab.

If you would like to donate checks may be made payable to:

Or visit website www.thewarriorswalk.com to make online donations

**Members of the media are encouraged to attend any of the 45 hours to support our even**