Runners raise funds to assist MSP Trooper Jackie Kline at 5K race

Over 800 runners converged in Sykesville Sunday morning to aid injured Maryland State Trooper Jackie Kline

By Kevin E. Dayhoff, Sunday, November 10, 2013

Although the air was a bit nippy and a brisk breeze prevailed Sunday morning in Sykesville; over 800 runners gathered together with warm hearts to raise money for fellow police office, Maryland State Trooper Jacqueline A. Kline, who was recently critically injured in the line of duty.

Kline was struck by a car in Pasadena early Sunday morning, October 6, 2013.

According to various media accounts, Facebook – “5KforJK,” “Love4TrooperKline,” and an October 22 article by Kym Byrnes, on Westminster Patch, “A 5k run (was) held to honor her love for running and to raise funds to help defray Kline's medical costs.”

The website for the “5K for JK,”, fundraising event at the Maryland State Police Training Academy, 6852 4th Street, in Sykesville, on Sunday, November 10, 2013, described that, Kline “was backing up another trooper who had pulled a motorist over on eastbound Route 100 at about 1 a.m. Sunday when she was hit by a passing vehicle…

“Kline, who is assigned to road patrol duties at the Glen Bernie barrack, sustained head injuries, a broken arm, cuts and contusions…

“Kline was backing up a K-9 trooper from the Glen Burnie barrack who had stopped a suspected drunk driver just before the Catherine Avenue exit when she was hit. The trooper was administering field sobriety tests to the driver on the shoulder of Route 100.

“Preliminary investigations indicate Kline was struck by the right front of the Nissan and hit the hood of the car. She was then propelled into the back of the State Police K-9 car, where she struck the back windshield and metal K-9 cage inside the car.

“Kline fell off the police car and landed in a ditch near the highway shoulder, police said.

“The K-9 trooper immediately called for assistance and administered emergency care to Kline. She was flown by a U.S. Park Police helicopter” to University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore

“The “5K for JK” website reflected that Kline “has a passion for not only running but also working out and being physically fit. It was this passion which has probably kept her with us today and allowed her to recover and fight like she has since her injury.”

In a November 5 article in The Advocate of Westminster and Finksburg by Jeremy Bauer-Wolf, one of the organizers of the Sunday 5K, “fellow 2012 (Maryland State Police Academy) graduate Ed Strapp” said “Kline was always a social butterfly during her time at the” training academy.

“Kline was bright, cheery and fit — she took a particular interest in physical activity and keeping healthy,” said Strapp.

The Advocate also reported, “1st Sgt. David Brauning, who was the academy officer during Kline’s time at the academy, said that Kline just seemed to click into her training…”

Soon after the accident, a number of fundraisers were put together, including the “5K for JK,” to cover the myriad incidental expenses associated with Kline’s recovery

The Westminster Patch article reported, “Despite the optimism, police say Trooper Kline will have a long road to recovery. Many of the expenses for her and her family will not be covered by insurance, according to a news release. 

“Her fellow troopers say they want to provide Trooper Kline with financial backup and have created this run in an effort to help.

“The State Police new release said that ‘Trooper Kline is known as an outstanding athlete and a passionate runner. She was part of the Maryland Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics while a recruit in the State Police Academy. The 5K run will cover a course run by Trooper Kline and other State Police recruits while completing the six-month training to become a state trooper.’”

Sunday morning, over 800 runners – and walkers - participated in the event that was coordinated by scores of volunteers.

At opening ceremonies for 5K at the training academy Saturday morning, which included Nashville recording artist Ashley Forrest singing the National Anthem, it was said that Kline recently left the Shock Trauma center and been moved to a rehabilitation facility where she continues to recover faster than expected. 

[The writer, Kevin Dayhoff participated in the race. He finished 518 out of 838 runners and fourth in the age 60-69 age group with a time of 34:33.9 minutes. He is a chaplain with Maryland State Troopers Association Lodge # 20 and the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department. He may be reached at kevindayhoff@gmail.com]