COEUR d'ALENE — Steve Jones was working his way up the ranks of the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department about the same time Greg Moore was doing it with the Coeur d'Alene Police Department.

They formed a bond.

The two often worked out together, shared hopes and dreams and talked about life.

"We are always trying to do what we could to support each other," Jones said Wednesday as he sat on a rock at a trailhead to Tubbs Hill. "Greg was near and dear to my heart."

Sgt. Moore was shot and killed in the line of duty May 5, 2015. He was 43.

Jones is making sure his friend is remembered and honored.

The first K27 Memorial Trail Run is set for Saturday. It will cover 10 loops of 2.7 miles each covering McEuen Park and Tubbs Hill.

The distance of 27 miles is a tribute to Moore's badge number, K27, as is the starting time: 7:27 a.m.

"Let’s never forget," Jones said. "Let’s keep him in our memories."

While the run is free, donations will be accepted to benefit the Coeur d'Alene Police Foundation. Race day T-shirt sales will also go to the foundation.

Both firefighters and police officers will be participating. Teams of three and individuals will be running and walking mountain terrain, dirt trails and paved paths.

Anyone is welcome to join them. Check-in is at the Avista Pavilion.

Jones is a 21-year veteran with the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department and is today an EMS officer. He loves trail running and he loves Tubbs Hill, so he wanted to combine both to honor his friend and benefit the foundation.

He credits Moore with encouraging him to try Spartan races.

"He’s actually what inspired me to branch out," Jones said. "He was instrumental in showing me the way and leading me down the path.”

A K27 Memorial Trail Run was initially planned several years ago, but it was postponed due to COVID-19.

As things have returned to normal, Jones said it was time to give it a go this year.

He's hoping for a good turnout, even though it's the day before Bloomsday, one of the country's largest fun runs in Spokane.

"I’ve been telling people 27 miles is just a warm up for Bloomsday," Jones said, smiling. "If you can do this, Bloomsday will be a walk in the park."

Jones won't be on the trails Saturday due to his responsibilities as race organizer, but said he's been running the K27 Memorial Trail Run.

"I’ve been biting off chunks of it each and every day," he said.

His son, Alex, a student at Coeur d'Alene High and a track team member, will be competing with a team of firefighters.

Jones' goal is fourfold: Get people moving; introduce them to the trails of Tubbs Hill; benefit the Coeur d'Alene Police Foundation and pay tribute to Moore.

"He is the inspiration," Jones said. "That’s why we’re calling it the K27 Memorial Trail Run."

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