Behind the Badge
Every graduating class from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Academy (LASD) participates in a “Colors Run” as a way of promoting pride and unity among academy recruits.
Protocol calls for the class to dedicate the run to a fallen officer.
When LASD Academy Class 442 held their Colors Run in the city of Beverly Hills on Dec. 6, 2019, it chose to honor Beverly Hills police officer Allen Karlin.
Beverly Hills police recruit Jake Spurgeon, second from left, runs with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Academy Class #442 during the Colors Run, honoring fallen Beverly Hills Officer Allen H. Karlin. Photo by Miguel Vasconellos/Behind the Badge
Karlin was killed in the early morning hours of Jan. 26, 1990, when his motorcycle struck a curb and he was thrown into a light pole. Since his death, Karlin has been remembered as an exemplary officer and beloved member of the law enforcement community. This month’s Colors Run was a reminder of that for his widow, Rochelle Karlin, and their children.
“My heart was touched that the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department and Beverly Hills Police Department chose to honor Allen after all these years,” said Karlin’s wife, Rochelle Karlin. “It was a joy to hear such kind words from the Beverly Hills Police Department about the way he is remembered and loved.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Academy Class #442 crosses Wilshire Boulevard during the Colors Run in honor of fallen Beverly Hills Officer Allen H. Karlin.
Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge
Close to 90 recruits along with academy staff and BHPD employees and relatives ran a 4-mile route through the city, along Santa Monica Boulevard, Wilshire Boulevard, Rodeo Drive and Olympic Boulevard.
“It’s the first time that we know of that it has ever been held in our city, said BHPD Sgt. Dave Dimond, who helped organize the run. “It’s the first time that we are aware of that a Beverly Hills officer has been honored. I can definitely speak for the chief in that we are all honored that they chose one of our officers and that we could host it here and be part of it.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Academy Class #442 runs along Beverly Boulevard approaching Santa Monica during the Colors Run in honor of fallen Beverly Hills Officer Allen H. Karlin.
Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge
BHPD recruit Jay Spurgeon was among the runners, along with the son of a retired BHPD lieutenant, Tim West, who was good friends with Karlin. Karlin’s family followed the runners along the route to a recognition ceremony honoring Karlin’s family in the BHPD courtyard.
Rochelle said she was moved by spectators cheering along the route and by the way her husband has been remembered. BHPD awards the Allen H. Karlin Award for Exemplary Police Work to an officer each year.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Academy Class #442 lines up in Beverly Gardens Park during the Colors Run in honor of fallen Beverly Hills Police Officer Allen H. Karlin.
Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge
“Watching the community and the way they responded was very heartwarming,” Rochelle said. “Allen has always been remembered and will continue to be remembered by his law enforcement family.
“The way both agencies welcomed him as part of that professional family was quite comforting, and the color run was truly amazing,” she said. “It was really a special day for me and my children.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Academy Class #442 poses for a group photo in Beverly Gardens Park during the Colors Run in honor of fallen Beverly Hills Officer Allen H. Karlin.
Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Academy Class #442 poses for a group photo in Beverly Gardens Park during the Colors Run.
Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Academy Class #442 cools down with jumping jacks in the Boat Court following the Colors Run in honor of a fallen officer.
Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge
Beverly Hills police recruit Jake Spurgeon listens with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Academy Class #442 to Beverly Hills Police Chief Sandra Spagnoli make a few remarks following the Colors Run.
Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge
Beverly Hills Police Chief Sandra Spagnoli speaks to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Academy Class #442 following the Colors Run, honoring fallen Beverly Hills Police Officer Allen H. Karlin.
Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge
Friends and family of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Academy Class #442 take photos of the group in the Boat Court following the Colors Run, honoring fallen Beverly Hills Officer Allen H. Karlin.
Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge
