On Saturday, July 18, members of King County Sheriff’s Office along with their friends and family, readied themselves on the starting line by Safeco Field. For the second year in a row, the Sheriff’s Office was represented at the Refuse to Abuse 5K.

An avid runner, Detective Jason Houck first heard of the race last year. Wanting to participate, Houck wondered if he could get any other Sheriff’s Office employees involved and sent out a department wide email in hopes of putting together a team. He received responses from all over King County, from non-runners to avid runners like himself. While the members had different reasons for joining, they all agreed on one thing.

“The race benefits a great cause,” Detective Houck said. “As law enforcement officers I think it is very important for us to participate.”

Proceeds from the race, along with any money teams raised, benefited the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence in their fight to educate and stop abuse. The course wrapped around Safeco Field and ended with participants running the bases. This year 1,328 people participated.

Detective John McSwain, a member of Houck’s team, said the 5K was also an extremely fun event.

“You get to see Safeco Field from a perspective you usually don’t get to see,” McSwain said.

McSwain and Houck urge all King County employees, not just law enforcement, to get involved in next year’s race.

“We have a job to the public as law enforcement and as a county, to be public with our stance,” McSwain said. “On an issue like this we need to show people that we are against domestic violence and are going to stop it.”