Run for Our Heroes and Public Safety Partners

Honoring our fallen officers

Run for Our Heroes is held in honor of our fallen officers and is connected with the Raleigh Police Department. It reminds the community of the people who serve every day and of the sacrifice that some of them make.

At the Expo, the Run for Our Heroes display gives visitors a chance to learn about the cause, meet members of the department and show support. It adds a serious and meaningful note to a lively event.

Taking a moment to visit the display is a simple way to say thank you. Many visitors find that these brief conversations leave a lasting impression.

The role of the Raleigh Police Department

The Raleigh Police Department works every day to protect residents and visitors. At the Expo, officers and representatives are available to talk with the public in a friendly setting, away from emergencies and incidents.

The Expo also supports several police-related organizations, including the Raleigh Police Department, its Drugs and Vice unit and the Raleigh Police Memorial Foundation. These contributions help officers do their work and honor those who have fallen.

Seeing police as neighbors and not only as responders helps build trust, and events like this create room for that connection.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol

The North Carolina Highway Patrol joins the Expo to share safety information with visitors. Troopers can talk about safe driving, seat belts, child safety seats and responsible habits on the road.

This is a perfect fit for an auto show. As people look at new vehicles, they are thinking about how they will drive them. Good advice from experienced professionals helps turn that thinking into safer behavior.

Parents, teenagers and new drivers in particular can benefit. A short conversation with a trooper can make an important point more memorable than a lecture.

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office is also part of the Expo community, both as an exhibitor and as a recipient of support through its Life Saver program. Representatives are glad to meet visitors and answer questions.

Programs such as Life Saver show how law enforcement uses community support for practical safety work. The Expo is proud to help in this way.

Visit the sheriff’s display to learn more about local services, ask questions and thank the deputies who serve Wake County.

Shop with a Cop and community programs

The Wake County F.O.P. Shop with a Cop program is another cause supported by the Expo. It gives children a chance to build positive relationships with officers while enjoying a special shopping experience.

Programs like this show that public safety is about people, not only enforcement. Children learn that officers care about them, and officers see the families they serve in a different light.

The Police Unity Tour, also supported by the Expo, honors officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Together these programs reflect a community that values safety and respect.

Why safety belongs at a car show

Vehicles and safety go together. Each year, many people are injured in crashes that could have been prevented through careful driving, proper restraint use and good decisions. A car show is a natural place to talk about these topics.

MADD, another beneficiary of the Expo, works to prevent impaired driving and support victims. Their message is simple and vital: plan a safe ride and never drive impaired.

When you attend the Expo, take a moment to think about safety as part of your buying decision. The most important feature of any vehicle is how well it helps you and your passengers arrive safely.

How to take part

There are many ways to take part. Visit the Run for Our Heroes display and ask how you can support the cause. Talk with the Highway Patrol and the Sheriff’s Office. Bring your children and use the visit to teach respect and safety.

If you are interested in supporting public safety organizations beyond the show, consider contacting local groups or sending a question to [email protected]. The Expo team can point you in the right direction.

Even a simple thank you is meaningful. Officers and deputies appreciate hearing from the people they serve.

Teaching children about service

Children are curious about people who wear uniforms. The Expo gives families a relaxed setting to introduce public service in a positive way. Walk with your child to a display, ask a few questions together and listen to the answers.

You can encourage children to say thank you or to draw a picture for an officer or deputy. Small gestures teach appreciation and help children understand that service is a choice made for the benefit of others.

Conversations about safety, kindness and responsibility often begin naturally at events like this. Take advantage of them.

Safe driving habits to practice

Public safety begins with everyday choices. Wear your seat belt on every trip, and make sure children are in the right car seat or booster for their age and size. Put your phone away while driving and give your full attention to the road.

Follow speed limits, leave space between vehicles and avoid driving when tired. Never drive after drinking or while impaired, and plan a safe ride home instead.

These habits are simple, free and powerful. If every driver practiced them, roads would be safer for everyone.

How the community can say thank you

There are many ways to thank those who serve. You can write a note, support a related charity, attend a memorial event or simply greet an officer with a smile. Respect and kindness cost nothing.

Supporting organizations such as the Raleigh Police Memorial Foundation and the Police Unity Tour helps honor officers and their families. Supporting programs such as Shop with a Cop builds friendships between officers and children.

Each action, big or small, tells public servants that their work is valued. That encouragement matters.

What visitors can expect at the displays

The public safety displays at the Expo are friendly and informative. You can expect to meet officers, deputies and troopers who are happy to answer questions, share safety tips and talk about their work. There is no pressure and no need to prepare anything.

Bring your curiosity and your family. You may pick up brochures, learn about programs and discover ways to support the causes. Children often enjoy seeing patrol vehicles, uniforms and equipment.

Allow a little time for these stops. They are among the most meaningful parts of the visit, and a short conversation can leave a strong impression.

Remembering why it matters

Behind every badge is a person with a family, friends and a commitment to serve. When we honor fallen officers, we remember not only their sacrifice but also the lives they touched.

Events such as Run for Our Heroes remind us to appreciate the safety we often take for granted. A moment of gratitude is a small but sincere gift to those who protect our neighborhoods.

A community that looks out for each other

At its heart, the Expo is a gathering of neighbors. Dealers, exhibitors, public servants and visitors share the same space for a few days each year. In that setting it is natural to remember that everyone relies on one another.

Honoring our fallen officers, supporting safety programs and learning how to drive more carefully are all ways of looking out for each other. They show that the Expo is about more than vehicles.

When you leave the show, take that spirit with you. Drive safely, thank someone who serves and help your community stay strong.