WEST FARGO (KFGO) – Red River Valley Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge #1 is teaming up with area Crossfit gyms to raise money to help send fallen Fargo Police officer Jake Wallin’s family and fiance to Washington D.C when his name will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall.
Two ways to support the family are by participating in a Wallin Hero WOD on Monday, or ordering a Wallin Memorial Coin.
FOP secretary Kerri Gortmaker is an owner at Sheyenne River CrossFit in West Fargo. She said all the crossfit gyms in the Fargo-Moorhead area, as well as gyms
in North Dakota and Minnesota will hold a Hero WOD.
A WOD is a fitness event that combines several different exercises into a timed workout. The Wallin Hero WOD will include four exercises, each with a separate meaning.
There are three timed rounds because Wallin was working ‘Beat 3’ the day he was killed. There is a 1,050-meter run. 10-50 is the police code for a car accident, which he was responding to. The last three exercises signify the day he was shot – 7/14/23. Seven weighted box step-overs, 14 air squats, and 23 burpees.
Gortmaker said the event is free and open to the public, but they are asking for donations to support the Wallin family’s trip to Washington.
She also said they recognize the exercises may be intimidating, but they want as many people to participate, so the exercises are designed to accommodate all fitness levels.
The Wallin Memorial Coin is a 2 inch coin with Wallin’s name, badge, and end-of-watch date on the front.
“The back of it has logos from his military experience and the FOP logo,” Gortmaker said. “It also has something his friend Hudson brought to us that has a lot of meaning to him. He was into Norse mythology. So, there’s a symbol on there and the words on the back all relate to that.”
The coins are $20 each. Gortmaker said they are taking preorders, which is the best way to ensure people can get one. She said they will have a limited number that aren’t designated for someone, but will be sold first come, first served.
For more information on Monday’s Hero WOD, contact Sheyenne River CrossFit at (701) 404-9002
A link to the Wallin Memorial Coin order form can be found here.
