H1 UNLIMITED LAUNCHES HYDROS & HEROES INITIATIVE
Unlimited Hydroplanes Team with Behind the Badge Foundation to Honor Fallen Officers
Seattle, Washington (July 31, 2024) – H1 Unlimited announced today a new initiative that will begin with this weekend’s 75th running of Seafair on Lake Washington. The organization will kickoff ‘Hydros & Heroes’ where each Unlimited hydroplane will carry the name of a fallen officer from the state of Washington. H1 Unlimited has teamed with Behind the Badge Foundation to identify the fallen officers and work hand-in-hand with their families to arrange not only for their names to be carried on the boats, but compliments of Beacon Electric/Beacon Plumbing and Strong Racing, they will also have the chance to visit the boats in person.
The fallen officers that will be honored in this inaugural year of Hydros & Heroes will include Trooper Gadd who was lost just four short months ago along with Officer Williams who was lost 93 years ago this weekend. Both Trooper Gadd and Officer Williams will be honored on the Strong Racing boats and are a tribute to the work done by the Behind the Badge Foundation when it comes to providing support and service to the families of fallen officers regardless of how many years have passed.
“The opportunity to kickoff a program like Hydros & Heroes in partnership with the Behind the Badge Foundation is something really important and at the core of what H1 Unlimited is all about,” said Mike Denslow, chairman of the board, H1 Unlimited. “While there is no possible way for us to ever thank the officers and their families for the sacrifice they’ve made, for us as a sport, this is a way that we can ensure their memories are honored and stories are told year after year.”
Custom decals will be placed on the rear uprights of each hydroplane to honor their respective fallen officer.
Those pairings are below:
U-1, Beacon Electric – J. Michael Kelly: Trooper Christopher M Gadd
U-9, Beacon Plumbing – Corey Peabody: Officer Harold E Williams
U-11, Miss Mercury’s Coffee – Jamie Nilsen: Officer Tina Griswold
U-12, Graham Trucking – Bobby King: Detective Derrick W Focht
U-35, Gutters by Keith presents Boitano Homes – Gunnar O’Farrell: Trooper Tony V Radulescu
U-27, Miss Apollo – Dave Villwock: Deputy Daniel McCartney
U-40, Flav-R-PAC – Dustin Echols: Sergeant Nelson K Ng
U-91, Miss Goodman Real Estate – Andrew Tate: Officer Brian M DiBucci
“We are honored to partner with H1 Unlimited for ‘Hydros & Heroes,’ said Brian Johnston, Executive Director of Behind the Badge Foundation. “This tribute honors heroes like Trooper Gadd and Officer Williams, ensuring their legacy lives on and reminding us of their lasting impact. It is a powerful addition to Seafair, celebrating community spirit and honoring those who gave their all to protect us.”
For more information on H1 Unlimited and to view the official 2024 schedule, visit www.h1unlimited.com.
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About Behind the Badge Foundation:
Behind the Badge Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to offering compassion and practical assistance to survivors, agencies, families, and communities in Washington State following a law enforcement line-of-duty death or injury. Our team also oversees and maintains the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial at the state capital, honoring officers who have died in service to our state.
For more information, visit behindthebadgefoundation.org or contact our media relations team at [email protected].
H1 UNLIMITED LAUNCHES HYDROS & HEROES INITIATIVE
Unlimited Hydroplanes Team with Behind the Badge Foundation to Honor Fallen Officers
Seattle, Washington (July 31, 2024) – H1 Unlimited announced today a new initiative that will begin with this weekend’s 75th running of Seafair on Lake Washington. The organization will kickoff ‘Hydros & Heroes’ where each Unlimited hydroplane will carry the name of a fallen officer from the state of Washington. H1 Unlimited has teamed with Behind the Badge Foundation to identify the fallen officers and work hand-in-hand with their families to arrange not only for their names to be carried on the boats, but compliments of Beacon Electric/Beacon Plumbing and Strong Racing, they will also have the chance to visit the boats in person.
The fallen officers that will be honored in this inaugural year of Hydros & Heroes will include Trooper Gadd who was lost just four short months ago along with Officer Williams who was lost 93 years ago this weekend. Both Trooper Gadd and Officer Williams will be honored on the Strong Racing boats and are a tribute to the work done by the Behind the Badge Foundation when it comes to providing support and service to the families of fallen officers regardless of how many years have passed.
“The opportunity to kickoff a program like Hydros & Heroes in partnership with the Behind the Badge Foundation is something really important and at the core of what H1 Unlimited is all about,” said Mike Denslow, chairman of the board, H1 Unlimited. “While there is no possible way for us to ever thank the officers and their families for the sacrifice they’ve made, for us as a sport, this is a way that we can ensure their memories are honored and stories are told year after year.”
Custom decals will be placed on the rear uprights of each hydroplane to honor their respective fallen officer.
Those pairings are below:
U-1, Beacon Electric – J. Michael Kelly: Trooper Christopher M Gadd
U-9, Beacon Plumbing – Corey Peabody: Officer Harold E Williams
U-11, Miss Mercury’s Coffee – Jamie Nilsen: Officer Tina Griswold
U-12, Graham Trucking – Bobby King: Detective Derrick W Focht
U-35, Gutters by Keith presents Boitano Homes – Gunnar O’Farrell: Trooper Tony V Radulescu
U-27, Miss Apollo – Dave Villwock: Deputy Daniel McCartney
U-40, Flav-R-PAC – Dustin Echols: Sergeant Nelson K Ng
U-91, Miss Goodman Real Estate – Andrew Tate: Officer Brian M DiBucci
“We are honored to partner with H1 Unlimited for ‘Hydros & Heroes,’ said Brian Johnston, Executive Director of Behind the Badge Foundation. “This tribute honors heroes like Trooper Gadd and Officer Williams, ensuring their legacy lives on and reminding us of their lasting impact. It is a powerful addition to Seafair, celebrating community spirit and honoring those who gave their all to protect us.”
For more information on H1 Unlimited and to view the official 2024 schedule, visit www.h1unlimited.com.
# # #
About Behind the Badge Foundation:
Behind the Badge Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to offering compassion and practical assistance to survivors, agencies, families, and communities in Washington State following a law enforcement line-of-duty death or injury. Our team also oversees and maintains the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial at the state capital, honoring officers who have died in service to our state.
For more information, visit behindthebadgefoundation.org or contact our media relations team at [email protected].