Lakewood — Lakewood police officer Jesus “Moose” Chavez has pushed Luke Olmsted’s wheelchair through five half marathons. Now Olmsted, a junior at Alameda International High School, is a letter winner in track.
Olmsted, who has cerebral palsy, was honored Friday at a pep assembly in the school’s gym along with Chavez, Alameda’s school resource officer. Olmsted was given a standing ovation by the student body.
Getting Olmsted that letter was Chavez’ idea.
Lakewood officer Jesus “Moose” Chavez and Luke Olmsted, who received a letter in track from Alameda International High School on Friday. Denver Post photo John Meyer
“We’ve worked really hard together,” Chavez said. “I know that sounds a little weird, but as much as I push him, he pushes me. I worked with athletic director and the principal, and they blessed this so the whole school can embrace what he’s done for this school.”
Everyone involved worked to keep Friday’s ceremony a surprise to Luke.
“He had no idea,” said Olmsted’s mother, Gretchen. “The second he got into the gym and heard all the kids, I think he got super excited, he was squealing. Then when he saw us, he knew something was up. Why are mom and dad and brother at the school? I think he started to sense something.”
The Olmsted family deeply appreciates what Chavez has done for Luke.
Chavez and Olmsted after competing the Rock ‘n’ Roll Denver half marathon in 2013. Denver Post photo John Meyer
“Once again, he’s finding a way to bridge that gap between the community here at school and Luke,” Gretchen said. “I just feel this school is super fortunate to have an SRO like him, because he always is finding creative ways, ways beyond what my husband and I would think of, to help (Luke) feel like he is a part of this school community. He makes him feel like he matters, and thatap what every high school kid wants, right? They want to know that they matter and that they belong. Itap been huge for us, absolutely huge.”
Chavez hopes to push Luke in the 2016 Boston Marathon after he turns 18, as stipulated by the rules of the race. Chavez ran Boston solo last year.
