NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — 10-year-old Zechariah Cartledge ran in honor of Debra Johnson Friday evening. Johnson was a Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) administrator who was killed earlier this week, allegedly by escaped inmate Curtis Watson.
Zechariah ran one mile while carrying the Blue Line flag. In his endeavor, he was joined by officers, who ran alongside him.
The young runner completes a one-mile run for each first responder lost in the line of duty, under the banner of his and his family's nonprofit organization, Running for Heroes. Each run is showcased on the organization's Facebook page, where it states Zechariah's mission is to run a mile for every fallen first responder of 2018 and 2019.
Just last month, Zechariah ran to honor Officer John Anderson of the Metro Nashville Police Department. In May, he honored fallen Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Matthew Gatti.
In addition to his runs for fallen first responders, Zechariah has been working to raise $50,000 for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. At the time of writing, the goal had been reached, with $50,204 raised.
The search for escaped inmate Curtis Watson - who is suspected of murdering Debra Johnson - is still on.
