Detective to hike for charity

By COURTNEY LAMDIN | Staff Writer
courtney@miltonindependent.com

It was always Paul Locke’s dream to hike the entire Long Trail, and this weekend, he’ll start out on that goal to benefit not only his personal fitness goals but also a charity.

Locke, Milton Police’s only detective, will set out this weekend for a month-long hiking trip to raise money for the Vermont Special Olympics.

At press time Locke had raised just under $500 for the organization, which provides year-round physical fitness opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.

“I was going to [hike] it anyways, so why not raise money for it?” Locke said.

Locke has participated in the Special Olympics’ Law Enforcement Torch Run every year since he was hired 12 years ago at Milton PD, so when Chief Brett Van Noordt heard of Locke’s hiking goal, he was supportive – and unsurprised, he said.

“A lot of times, he’s the driving factor in getting other people to run with him,” Van Noordt said of the Torch Run. “[The hike] goes hand-in-hand with what law enforcement tries to promote as being healthy, being physically fit.”

Milton Police Cpl. Scott Philbrook, who will step into Locke’s detective shoes, has run the Torch Run with Locke every year; the two went to the police academy together and were hired in Milton the same year.

He said Locke’s choice of Special Olympics was a “no-brainer,” especially since Locke will be out hiking during the Torch Run on June 3.

“[The hike] still fits in where he’ll still feel like he’s participating,” Philbrook said, adding he hopes some other officers will run the torch with him in Locke’s absence.

Locke will start his hike in Williamstown, Mass., the southern end of the 272-mile trail that forms the spine of Vermont to the Canadian border. The trail encompasses the major peaks Killington, Jay and Mansfield, the parts Locke is looking forward to most.

He plans a 21-day trip, averaging 13 miles a day, stopping at designated
shelters along the way. He’ll carry a 45-pound pack with a tent, week’s supply of food, water filtration system, knife and gun – “There are bears out there!” he said.

Locke’s wife and Philbrook will resupply him with food; his phone’s GPS will alert them to his location – and provide an extra safety measure.

In law enforcement, “we’re always cautious,” Philbrook said.

Locke pledged to keep his phone off most of the time but admitted he’ll still miss work, where he handles 40 to 60 open cases at any time, Van Noordt said.

Both Locke and Van Noordt said they’re not concerned about handing over the caseload to Philbrook, who served as detective in Milton before Locke.

“[This trip] is kind of a one-shot deal for him; that’s why I was happy to step up and take the detective position, so it might be easier for the town to let him go for that month,” Philbrook said.

Despite any lingering curiosity about the daily crimes, Locke said he’s looking forward to the tranquility of his hike.

“On a day-to-day basis, I deal with craziness,” he said. “It’s nice to get out there and just be alone, be in the wilderness, especially at this time of year.”

Even more motivating is that the trip will benefit Special Olympics, Locke said. He said the charity gives people a sense of accomplishment and a smile.

“I’m fortunate enough that I can go out and hike 272 miles, but some people aren’t,” Locke said. “[If] I get to the 200-mile mark, I don’t feel like going on, I have to remember the charity that I raised money for is waiting for me to finish.”

Van Noordt has no doubts Locke will, he said.

“He’s a very determined person,” Van Noordt said. “We wish him well and to be safe while he’s hiking out there. It’s going to be a long trip.”

To donate to Paul Locke’s trip, visit www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/ lockerslongtrail.