GLENDALE, Ariz. — A retired Glendale police officer, who suffered a career-ending crash more than 30 years ago, continues to press on. Since the 1992 crash, Russ Whitney never gave up. His team of caretakers has helped him reach goals along the way.
Whitney, as an avid Corvette enthusiast, recently received a challenge from his trainer, Olivia Templeton.
“He had to do 80 laps in his house,” Templeton said. She would then organize a Corvette show for him.
It was all to motivate him to be more active while recovering from a hip injury.
“That’s a lot for Russ,” said Templeton. “He’s uniplegic, which means the right side of his body is totally paralyzed.”
After she reached out to the Corvette community on social media, she received an incredible response from people across the Valley, even complete strangers.
“Just giving back a little bit,” said Mike Laufer, the father of a current Glendale police officer. “…nothing compared to what they do for us.”
So on Saturday morning, Glendale officers, with area Corvette owners and their fancy rides, came together on the corner of 59th and Peoria avenues in Glendale with more than just the love of Corvettes in common.
“It’s that thin blue line thing,” said Floyd Songer, a retired law enforcement officer from Indiana.
“…just a huge supporter of law enforcement,” said Steve Misulich, who came to show support. “I have several kids that are police officers.”
After meeting for a short gathering in a parking lot near Whitney’s home, they lined up and revved their engines, then made their way to his neighborhood.
As they passed by Whitney's home, he was sitting in his driveway, surrounded by loved ones and caregivers, all smiles.
It was clear he felt the love and support from his fellow Corvette enthusiasts as they cruised by, along with the Glendale Police Department officers in their patrol vehicles.
“I’m just really excited about all the people that showed up to support,” said Templeton.
After they drove by a couple of times, they visited with Whitney, who was absolutely thrilled.
“It means everything… everything,” said Whitney. “It means the world to me.”
“People do it because they love it,” said Songer. “…and it’s nice that everybody rallies around somebody if they get injured.”
Songer knows firsthand the struggle of leaving a job he loves because of a medical reason or injury.
“I had to leave the SWAT team, due to a neurological disease and that just killed me,” Songer said.
Much like Whitney, he was passionate about his career in law enforcement.
“I know that he’s an excellent person,” said Officer Moroni Mendez of the Glendale Police Department. “I know that he was one of our hardworking officers.”
After a long recovery, Whitney continued to volunteer and went on to receive many awards and recognitions.
“He’s a strong man,” said Mendez. “He’s a powerful man.”
Whitney shared he has one of his own Corvettes.
“It’s red,” he said.
The visit was a huge boost for Whitney to stay motivated.
“I really hope that this does motivate Russ… that he knows that people support him,” said Templeton. “…and that he can pull on that every day.”
The Corvette show was heartwarming for everyone who was part of it, but especially for Whitney.
“He’s an inspiration to all of us as caregivers,” said Darlene Zienkiewicz, Whitney’s case manager. “…he’s always going to remember it.”
It was an incredible showing of support for a retired officer, who not only served as an officer for the Glendale Police Department but also tallied more than 40,000 hours of volunteer work with Glendale. Whitney was also a reserve police officer with Phoenix.
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