Austin Police Department’s Sergeant Ben Mewis and Detective Scott Baldridge ran approximately 500 miles, from the Rio Grande (Laredo, TX) to the Red River (Gainesville, TX), to raise money for the Peace Officers Memorial Foundation!
This adventure started in Laredo, TX, and took them north along the IH-35 corridor, passing through communities such as Laredo, Dilley, San Antonio, New Braunfels, Austin, Waco, Forth Worth, and Denton, and ending in Gainesville. The run began on November 3, 2024 and took 7 days to complete.
Meet the Runners
Ben Mewis
Ben is currently a patrol sergeant with the Austin Police Department. Ben has served the Austin community with over 20 years of police service working with the University of Texas Police Department, the Austin Community College Police Department, and the Austin Police Department. Ben is an experienced ultra-marathon runner who completed multiple ultra-distances up to 100 miles. Ben has also run from the Alamo to the Capitol, from the San Jacinto Monument to the Capitol, and most recently, from the Presidio la Bahia State Historic Site in Goliad to the Capitol, raising money for the Central Texas Pig Rescue.
Scott Baldridge
Scott is currently a detective with the Austin Police Department’s Cold Case Homicide and Missing Persons Unit. Scott is also an experienced ultra-marathon runner completing multi-day stage races in Namibia, Mongolia, and Antarctica. Scott has also completed multiple single-day ultras locally. When not running Scott is normally crewing for Ben on his runs from multiple historical sites back to the capitol.
Rio to Red News Media Coverage
- Austin Police run across Texas to honor fallen officers (KGNS Laredo)
- APD officers running across Texas to honor fallen officers (KXAN Austin)
- Why some police officers are running 500 miles across Texas (KVUE Austin)
- APD officers start 497-mile run across Texas to honor fallen comrades (CBS Austin)
- 500-mile trip ran on-foot comes to rest in Gainesville (KXII Sherman)
Scott and Ben’s Prior Runs
From July 2021 to October 2021, Ben ran every single street that he patrols in Austin, which came out to a total of 573 miles. Read More:
- Austin police officer goes the extra mile to run every street he patrols (KVUE)
- Austin Police corporal runs 575 miles to connect with community (KXAN)
In November of 2022, Ben ran from the Alamo back to the Capitol with Scott crewing him for the entire journey, and they successfully made it after covering 80 miles. Read More:
- Austin corporal runs from Alamo to Texas Capitol, uses passion to connect with community (KXAN)
- Austin police corporal runs 81 miles from the Alamo to Texas State Capital in less than 20 hours (SA Express News)
- Austin police officer runs from San Antonio to Austin (Fox 7 Austin)
In March 2023, Ben ran from the San Jacinto Monument outside of Houston back to the Capitol in Austin for a total of 190 miles. Scott assisted in crewing him, as well as two other crew members, Jack Zapata and Kerry Hodges. It took Ben three days to complete the distance, and Scott ran next to him for 100 of the 190 miles. Read More:
In November 2023, Ben ran from Goliad to Gonzales to the Capitol for 129 miles with Scott, Kerry, and Jack crewing for him yet again. Scott also ran next to Ben on this adventure for nearly 30 miles and it took two days to accomplish this run. Read More:
- APD sergeant runs 129 miles to honor fallen officers
- Austin sergeant runs 129 miles in honor of fallen officers
- APD sergeant, who was on scene when Pastore was killed, honors him in charity run
- Austin police officer runs in support of local animal rescue
Benefit Information
Rio to Red donations will go directly to the Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation (POMF), a 501(c)3 charitable organization honoring all those in Texas law enforcement who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their communites.
Founded in 1987, POMF’s uncompromising determination to preserve the rich history of Texas law enforcement and provide support for the families of peace officers has remained unparalleled. The foundation honors the fallen with assistance and support in a line of duty death, providing college scholarships, sponsoring the annual Texas Peace Officers Memorial Service, organizing the annual Ride for the Fallen event, supporting research to find and honor all Texas Peace Officers throughout history who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and maintaining a disaster relief team.
To contribute directly to POMF at any time, click the Contribute button at the bottom of this page, or click here.
The Peace Officers' Memorial Foundation strives to perpetuate the memory of Texas law enforcement officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving their communities. Since its inception in 1987, the foundation’s uncompromising determination to preserve the rich history of Texas law enforcement and provide support for the families of peace officers has remained unparalleled.
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