SACRAMENTO – With 108 cadets preparing to graduate this week from the California Highway Patrol Academy, the class will participate in the long-standing tradition of a pre-dawn run on Wednesday, Jan. 3.

The 5-mile run, from the CHP Academy to the California Peace Officers’ Memorial near the State Capitol, is a way for the cadets to recognize the ultimate sacrifice of law enforcement heroes. It begins at 5:15 a.m.

The monument at the Capitol honors more than 1,600 California men and women who have laid down their lives serving and protecting the public throughout the state.

It also emphasizes to the soon-to-be officers the dangers of the job upon which they are about to embark.

While at the monument, cadets and officers will observe a moment of silence to honor the fallen heroes.

The cadet run is a time-honored tradition for cadets completing 28 weeks of training at the CHP Academy.