MILFORD, Del.- Zechariah Cartledge is not even a teenager and founded his own charity in 2019 for something he is passionate about and truly appreciates. First responders who have given everything they can to their communities.
To show his support he runs one mile for first responders who have died in the line of duty. Zechariah traveled to Delaware to present a $10,000 check to Milford Police Senior Corporal TJ Webb. Senior Corporal Webb was shot multiple times serving on the US Marshals violent fugitive task force in December. Zechariah was touched by that experience.
"The fact that he wanted to get back into the line of duty at still a young age and that he also has a wife and a son," Cartledge said. "It’s just amazing and I admire his dedication so we thought it was a great person to come out here and represent with the Milford Police Department today."
Senior Corporal Webb has had a lot of support here Delaware and now his story has gained national attention through Running 4 Heroes. Milford Police Detective Timothy Maloney says his hard work, dedication, and sacrifice deserves to be recognized.
"We have had plenty of local support like statewide for TJ to help him with his recovery and to partner with his family and stuff but to now have national organizations like Running 4 Heroes come alongside and partner with him is incredible," Maloney said.
Zechariah has run over 850 miles during his mission and will run one more for all Delaware first responders who lost their lives serving their communities.
During his 860th mile for all fallen Delaware first responders, Zechariah was joined by officers of the Milford Police Department. After crossing the finish line, he presented the flag he carried the entire run to State Police Corporal Stephen Ballard's widow Louise Cummings. Corporal Ballard was killed in April 2017 and is the last recorded first responder to die while in the line of duty.
Zechariah was named the first ever honorary officer of the Milford Police Department for his work with Running For Heroes.