CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — The thought of officers losing their lives in the line of duty led one Atlanta-area teen to come up with a unique tribute.
Channel 2’s Tom Jones spent the day in Clayton County, where the teen plans to run more than 100 miles to raise awareness about the sacrifice those officers made.
"I just pray about them and just pray for their families and everything; just think about what they went through," said 13-year-old Mackenna Gosart.
Mackenna is the daughter of former Clayton County police Officer John Gosart. He is now an investigator with the Clayton County District Attorney's Office.
John Gosart said he's proud of his daughter.
"She's always got a heart for doing good and she's always looking for causes bigger than herself," he said.
Mackenna said she's seen the stress the job puts on her father and on herself.
"There have been days where I thought, 'Is my dad going to come home tonight?" the teen said.
So, during January, she will run one mile for each officer who died last year.
The Officer Down Memorial page says 118 officers died, so she's running 118 miles in their honor.
"One of my teachers from last year is doing it, and some of my dad's friends from the Clayton County Police Department are doing it," she said.
Mackenna hopes others will join them.