Paralyzed Former Officer Races Across America
Kristine Ripatti-Pearce was paralyzed from the chest down in a 2006 shooting
Monday, Jun 21, 2010 | Updated 8:49 AM PST
Former Los Angeles police Officer Kristine Ripatti-Pearce, paralyzed from the chest down in a 2006 shooting, is expected Monday to finish the grueling Race Across America in Maryland.
The 37-year-old mother of two covered about 3,000 miles from Oceanside to Annapolis as captain of a relay team in one of the world's toughest endurance races. She was accompanied by her husband, Tim Pearce, an active duty LAPD officer.
She rode alongside three other cyclists, raising money for Operation Progress, a nonprofit started by LAPD officers at the Southeast Station to help combat gang-related crime in South Los Angeles.
Endurance cyclist Mark Burson told the Los Angeles Daily News he asked Ripatti to join his team after hearing a speech by her and her husband, LAPD Officer Tim Pearce.
The race began June 12 in Oceanside. Teams traveled as much as 500 miles per day, riding through 14 states on a route that is 30 percent longer than the Tour de France.
