The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) announced this week that a CrossFit workout has been created in memory of fallen Officer Jonathan "JD" De Guzman, who was killed in the line of duty last month.
SDPD shared the workout of the day, also known as "WOD," on their Facebook page, inviting local gyms and CrossFit facilities to particpate in the challenge.
Various CrossFit locations across the county planned to take part in the workout on Saturday.
With a photo of De Guzman on a screen on the workout floor, CrossFit ATR on Pepsi Drive took park in the event:
The "GS 24 Memorial WOD" is a two to four person workout that includes running, wall balls, burpees and pull ups.
The following gyms and CrossFit locations will be offering free workouts to members and non-members:
- ZASTC on Denny Way, El Cajon
- CrossFit 858 on Miramar Road, San Diego
- CrossFit ATR on Pepsi Drive, San Diego
- CrossFit Point A on Woodland Parkway, San Marcos
Local
Tom Hill of CrossFit ATR said the gym is home to many police officers and military service members.
“They’re our true heroes,” he told NBC 7 Saturday during the WOD dedicated to De Guzman.
Joining in on the workout were fellow officers, including SDPD Officer Jason Jarells, who said he remembers De Guzman from his time as a trainee with the police department.
‘He was very centered around others than himself,” said Jarells. “That was special and unique.”
Hill said the workout encompassed that fight that De Guzman stood for.
“We’re working together; we’re pushing together. There’s no one quitting and everyone picks each other up,” he explained.
On the day the De Guzman was killed on the job, Hill hung up a thin blue line flag in the slain officer’s honor.
“That shows me that these people are behind public safety, our military. It speaks volumes about how they feel about our first responders,” Jarells said.
“You come in here to get better. This is a place where we’re going to welcome you. We build a brotherhood; we’re here as a brotherhood, to get each other better,” Hill added.
The San Diego Police Officers Association (SDPOA’s) is collecting donations for the De Guzman family. Donations can be made online here, via the SDPOA’s Widows & Orphans Fund.
Donations for the fallen officer’s family can also be mailed to:
San Diego Police Officers Association
8388 Vickers Street
San Diego, CA 92111
Checks can be made payable to the SDPOA; write “Officer Jonathan De Guzman” in the memo line.
