September 22, 2014 at 4:05 p.m.
Community remembers fallen deputy with annual 5K run, children's race
Community remembers fallen deputy with annual 5K run, children's race
By Kayla Thomason-
Runners gathered on the starting line and The Blue Knights, officers on motorcycles, led the procession. A wave of purple surged forward as the race commenced. Participants ran a 5K around the scenic Nicolet College campus.
"[Kory Dahlvig] was such a big part of this community so it's truly a pleasure to be able to not only raise money for scholarships - which Nicolet students need - but to do this in his memory is wonderful," said Heather Schallock, executive director of the Nicolet College Foundation.
Dahlvig, a Nicolet graduate, was killed in an on-duty traffic accident in 2010 while working as a deputy with the Vilas County Sheriff's Office.
The event raised $7,000 last year, $2,000 went to an endowment to ensure there will be scholarships in the future. Five students in the Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement program were each awarded a $1,000 scholarship.
"I think that's just awesome," said Cherri Dahlvig, Kory's mother. "Kory would be so pleased, he really would because he truly loved what he did."
Kory Dahlvig's cousin, Melissa Lane, organized the Run to Remember.
"(Kory) liked to do special things for people in the community so I think he would be very happy with the scholarships going to students at Nicolet," Lane said.
Dahlvig was planning to teach at Nicolet before he was killed.
"[Run to Remember is] great, it's wonderful to see that support for Nicolet College and the scholarship funds," said runner Jennifer Kasparek. This was Kasparek's second year participating in the race and she said she plans to run again next year.
Through most of the race the sky looked ominous, but as racers started to cross the finish line the heavens cleared and warm sunlight bathed the area.
Cherri Dahlvig said she kept praying to her son to hold the rain back until the event was over. The sun came out in time for the children's race.
Approximately 40 to 50 children ran a half-mile race through the field.
Megan Rossing's son participated in the children's race while she ran the 5K with her mother. She said her family wanted to honor the fallen deputy.
Kory Dahlvig's sister, niece and brother-in-law also ran in the event.
Lane came up with the idea to hold the 5K about two years before Run to Remember became a reality. It's an appropriate memorial for an especially thoughtful man, she said.
"Kory was one of those people who never forgot to make sure your day was special, especially on your birthday," Lane said. "He called you every birthday and no matter how busy he was he made time to make that call and just wish you a happy day and hope you were having a good one.
"It's been amazing because a lot of times when we are planning the event people will come out and say why Kory was special to them and it's really special to hear that kind of stuff," she added.
Watching the runners pass by, Dahlvig reminisced about her son.
"Kory was just the most awesome kid, he had a kindness that would go for anybody," she said. "It didn't matter if they were young, old, middle-aged, Kory could get along with anybody. He had that smile that just made you feel good and sometimes if I'm feeling really bad I think about that smile and it makes me smile."
Dahlvig said she has been amazed by the community's support and kindness since Kory's death.
"I want to tell the community 'thank you so much for supporting my son,'" she said, adding that Kory understood the dangers of his job and was willing to give up his life in the line of duty.
"He always told me 'mom, if I die in the line of duty that's OK because that's where I was supposed to be,'" she said. "He loved what he did and he felt that if he saved one child from drugs it was worth his job."
Event sponsors included Ministry Health Care, Blue Knights MC Club Eagle River Chapter XII, Walmart, Superior Diesel, NRG Media, Newswatch 12, Stifel, Eye Clinic of Wisconsin, Parsons of Eagle River, Aspirus Rhinelander Clinic, State Bank of Florence, A-1 Septic, Aylesworth Dermatology, Shoeder's RV, Marine, and Sport Center, Rhinelander Honda, Northwestern Mutual, and Wisconsin Public Service.
"I have an amazing group of sponsors who have supported us and I also have an amazing committee that helped put this all together, without them this event wouldn't be able to happen," Lane said.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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