Garfield Ridge honors fallen firefighter Drew Price at annual 5K race

More than 900 runners gathered on Saturday, June 27, in Garfield Ridge to honor fallen firefighter Andrew “Drew” Price through the Garfield Ridge Stars & Stripes 5K race, a neighborhood tradition that recognizes first responders.

Garfield Ridge is a neighborhood of police officers, firefighters, paramedics, nurses, teachers, and city workers. Many participants are first responders, come from first responder families, or cheered from the sidewalks.

The 2026 honoree was fallen Chicago Firefighter Andrew “Drew” Price. In 2009, Price fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a firefighter and served Chicago for 14 years. He was an avid surfer who traveled to California and Hawaii with his wife, Lara.

Price drove Truck 44 and Engine 55 in the Lincoln Park and Lake East communities before dying in the line of duty in 2023 while battling flames in Lincoln Park.

The Drew Price Act, signed into law in 2026, requires specific safety measures and risk assessments for roof skylights and low-sloped roofs on businesses and homes. State Representative Angie Guerrero-Cuellar (D-22nd) and Senator Mike Porfirio (D-11th) sponsored the legislation. The law mirrored Alderman Marty Quinn’s 2024 Chicago City Ordinance for Price.

Lara designed this year’s race medals and t-shirts to embody her late husband’s character and honor his memory. The medals included Price’s name, his Truck “44” with a surfboard between the numbers, and the American flag as backdrop. She, along with Price’s family and friends, ran the race.

Juan Ortega founded the Garfield Ridge Stars & Stripes 5K in 2017 with 300 runners, aiming to honor fallen heroes and support their families. Ortega is a Chicago police officer who will mark 22 years of service this October. He has worked on the city’s south and west sides and knows the difficulties that come with being a first responder.

Juan’s daughter Emma Ortega said, “My dad is so dedicated, and he underplays the role he has in this all. He is the heart of the Stars & Stripes race.”

Ortega now calls the race a family affair. He has the support of his wife, whom he considers an anchor, and his daughters, Emma and Sofia.

“My daughters have me as a first responder and other family members. It’s humbling because I never thought my kids would be involved in anything I do,” Juan said.

Emma is a University of Illinois graduate who works for Alderman Tabares’ office. She chairs the Stars & Stripes 5K committee and has managed the group’s social media since December 2025, working to expand its reach among first responders and the broader community.

“I feel that everyone knows each other in Garfield Ridge. A lot of people not from our neighborhood throw us in the Midway area. Since the race began, lots of racers have started to recognize Garfield Ridge as working Chicagoans—union, first responders, and city workers,” Emma said.

Emma was in seventh grade and on the track team when the race started. The Ortegas saw it as a way to show their neighbors they cared about their community and first responder families.

Youngest daughter Sofia, a Saint Xavier nursing student, works packet pick-up on the Friday before race day and has been at the finish line handing out medals since the first year.

Families of fallen Chicago Police Officers have walked and run the race in previous years. Ortega said it is emotional for the mothers and spouses, who relive the pain of losing their sons and daughters.

Quinn addressed the crowd of runners, welcoming the Price family to Garfield Ridge. He thanked Juan and his family for organizing the race in his ward.

“This is how we are as a community, Garfield Ridge Strong,” Quinn said.

Alderman Raymond Lopez (15th Ward) ran the 5K with his staffers, supporting the first responders of Garfield Ridge, Clearing, and the Southwest Side.

“Let’s do this today for our fallen. Let’s do this for those still in uniform, serving. Let’s do this for all the families that support our first responders,” Lopez said.

Alderman Tabares, a longtime police supporter, stood at 56th and Narragansett, cheering and high-fiving residents, neighbors, Alderman Lopez, and Chicago Lawn District Commander Bryan Spreyene.

Illinois Comptroller and Chicago Mayoral Candidate Susana Mendoza recognized the Price family: “Drew Price, who died in the prime of his life at 39 years old, living his dream of being a firefighter, serves as an example of what a real hero is to all the kids coming up in our community. It is tragic, and he’s gone, but it’s beautiful to see so many people come. He lives on through all of you and all of us.”

The Midway Chamber of Commerce, Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch, and 8th District Council were three of 36 sponsors for the Stars & Stripes 5K. Al Cacciottolo holds leadership roles in these organizations and oversees volunteers on race day. He is also a Stars & Stripes committee member who helps oversee each year’s planning and was approached by Juan in 2017 when the 5K was just an idea.

“The race is a perfect way to thank first responders and showcase the Garfield Ridge neighborhood,” Cacciottolo said.

Racers paid a registration fee of $35, or $40 with late registration. Donations go to the 100 Club of Illinois and the Infinite Spirit Fund, charities that support families of fallen first responders and provide critical funding to CFD families in need.

“My husband’s a first responder, a firefighter, so we’re running to support our family in red,” said Christiana Martinez. She has been an avid runner for four years and came out with family and friends.

Theodore Czerniawaski ran the Stars & Stripes race with his daughter. Before the race, they were stretching near the Ella French Memorial statue to loosen their muscles and prevent injuries.

“It’s America’s 250th anniversary,” Czerniawaski said. “It’s a great opportunity to come together as a community and show that we not only support each other but also our first responders.”