By Daily Press staff
Santa Monica’s criminal suspects may find it more difficult than ever to outrun police.
Chief James T. Butts, Jr. recently announced that the Santa Monica Police Department’s 2006 Baker to Vegas Team finished third out of 24 teams in its division. The team’s time was 15 hours, 40 minutes and 59 seconds, its best placement yet.
On April 1, the SMPD participated in the 22nd Annual Baker to Vegas Challenge Relay Race. This year, officers ran the race in memory of Rick Crocker, a Santa Monica police officer and a major in the United States Marine Corp. Crocker was killed in 2005 in a rocket-propelled grenade attack during his second tour of duty in Iraq.
The Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay is the largest and most unique law enforcement race in the world. It’s a 120-mile, 20-stage foot relay race, which starts in Baker, Calif., and continues through the California desert, over the mountains, to Las Vegas.
The SMPD gave special thanks to the three team captains: detective HeeSeok Ahn, motor officer Shaun Nichols, K-9 officer Roberto Villegas and the support volunteers. Sustainable quality awards announced
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 7, 2006. Read the original PDF.