Tributes to 5/14 victim Aaron Salter Jr. flow through road races

“Loved to smile, always had wisdom to share with you,” said Foster, a retired Buffalo police officer. “Just very good natured and always willing to help. Family man, for sure.”

With warm memories of Salter, it was natural for Foster to join over 300 runners and walkers in paying tribute to him on Saturday. They were part of the inaugural 5/14 5K and half marathon benefiting a scholarship fund established in Salter’s name.

Salter lost his life in the massacre at the Tops supermarket on Jefferson Avenue a year ago. He was working as a security guard at the store and was killed after exchanging gunfire with the assailant. Salter was hailed as a hero.

“We’re going to do this every year from here on, as long as we possibly can,” said Vernon Beaty, one of the organizers of the races. “We’re going to keep his legacy alive.”

The races were among the events taking place this weekend on the one-year mark of the May 14 attack. The half marathon began near Canisius College, Salter’s alma mater, and ended in Delaware Park. The 5K, which drew the bigger crowd of the two races, started and finished inside the park.

Bryan Schaefer, himself a Canisius alum, said he tries to run a half marathon each spring and appreciated the idea of honoring Salter.

“It’s a nice area, it’s a great neighborhood, it’s a terrible thing that happened,” Schaefer said. “But we’ll get back up and do what we can do.”

Patricia Baker of Lockport said it was fitting to pay tribute to Salter through a race, noting that when he was a police officer, Salter was part of a team that would work special events like road races.

In Delaware Park, Foster was preparing to start the 5K with Kimberly Backey, Julie Deuble and Junette Diaz.

Backey said she was there “for the cause, for the community.” Deuble quickly agreed with her.

“I love my friend Kim and the cause is really important, especially this weekend,” Deuble said.

Before the 5K…