More than 100 California Highway Patrol (CHP) cadets were scheduled to take part in one final physical task before graduating from the CHP Academy on Friday, June 30. Just before sunrise on Wednesday, June 28, the cadets set out on a five-mile run from the CHP Academy in West Sacramento to the California Peace Officers’ Memorial in Downtown Sacramento.

At the memorial, the cadets were to observe a moment of silence to honor the more than 1,600 fallen officers who gave their lives serving and protecting the people of California. The tradition is a long-standing rite of passage for cadets completing 26 weeks of training at the CHP Academy.

The run was scheduled to begin Wednesday, June 28 at 5:15 a.m.

Cadets run in formation and sing cadence from the Academy on Reed Avenue, across the Tower Bridge, along Capitol Mall, and end at the Peace Officers’ Memorial on 10th Street and Capitol Mall.