San Jose cops don pink for breast cancer

San Jose cops don pink for breast cancer

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The boys in blue were pretty in pink. More than 30 San Jose bicycle patrol officers donned pink polo shirts and wore pins that said "breast man," while escorting participants in the 39-mile Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

Some streamed feather boas from their bikes as they cleared the way along narrow streets and cheered walkers up steep hills during the weekend benefit that wound from Golden Gate Park to Marin County and back.

"There's no other city where the police department unites like they do," said Karen Borkowsky, program director for the walk. "They ride up these San Francisco hills with music on their bikes and really encourage our walkers to walk every last mile."

The officers became involved in 2000 when the walk started in San Jose. They were only supposed to travel a few miles, but they decided to accompany them the entire way.

In previous years, the officers have serenaded the women at dinner stops and have been pelted with underwear from admiring female fans.

The ride is personal for officers who have had grandmothers, mothers and friends fight the disease.

"These ladies give me so much courage and so much hope," said Sgt. Mike Sullivan, whose mother survived breast cancer.

The event that ended Sunday drew 2,300 walkers from around the country and raised $5.4 million for breast cancer research.