COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (KMTV) - A new tribute and fundraising effort has been announced in honor of fallen Pottawattamie County deputy Mark Burbridge.
On Friday night at I-80 Speedway, a memorial lap and race will take place in Burbridge's honor. The deputy was a longtime fan of cars.
The race will start at about 7:30 p.m. at the racetrack in Greenwood, NE. Jim Cahill of Cahill Racing will drive a memorial car, outfitted with Deputy Burbridge's picture.
"I did something very similar for Kerrie Orozco when that happened and I decided I'm going to do it again," Cahill said. "We run what's called a reverse lap, which is around the track. In the racing community, it's a sign of respect to the fallen. And that lap will be run with this race car, the Pottawattamie County Sheriffs's cruiser and a retro old kind of Andy Griffith Mayberry police car."
Friends and colleagues of Burbridge, like Pottawatamie County Sgt. JW LeMaster, say the event will be a great way to keep his memory alive.
"Mark was a car guy and so he would get a kick out of this," LeMaster said. "So it's neat to see it in person and we're anxious to get a number one win hopefully with the car. That would be neat to see. But yeah we just want to make sure his memory stays with us."
The public is encouraged to come early, as officials expect the track, which seats more than 5,000 guests, will be packed.
