When David Fleetwood lost his life tragically in August 2013 in a shooting at the Ross Township supervisors' meeting, his wife, Pam, remembers telling her cousin that she normally could find something positive in the bad things that happened in her life, but she didn't think it was going to be possible after that fatal night.

A little over a year later on a cloudy Sunday morning, she stood in front of almost 300 people and said, "God though, along with his angels here on earth, had other plans."Something positive did come out of that terrible tragedy.On Sunday everyone agreed Dave was smiling down on them at the first Dave Fleetwood Memorial Trail Run and Leisure/Fun Walk at the West End Regional Park on Evergreen Road in Brodheadsville.Run for a scholarshipOver 250 people participated in the run/walk, which was approximately 3.6 miles. Walkers had the option of just doing a -mile or -mile trail. It was a way for a community to show its respect and support of a dedicated community-minded person. The proceeds from the event will go to a scholarship fund in Fleetwood's name. This past June, the first scholarship was given to a Pleasant Valley High School graduate, and it is the hope of Fleetwood's family and friends that it will continue.Former Pleasant Valley School District Superintendent Doug Arnold talked to Pam Fleetwood a few months after her husband's death and told her that they had to do something "big" in Dave's memory. Arnold worked with Bernie Kozen, executive director of West End Park and Open Space Commission and a close friend of Fleetwood, on the details. The recipient of the scholarship must be a participant in sports and must volunteer within the community, both of which exemplified Fleetwood.Trail in his honorIn addition to the scholarship, a trail at the West End Park was named The Dave Fleetwood Memorial Trail and was dedicated on Sunday before the run/walk.Fleetwood was instrumental in the formation of the park, as a Chestnuthill Township supervisor and as a worker. He was there with other volunteers cutting trees down, bringing his own tractors to spread gravel."I know Dave was trying to save the park money, but I also know he wouldn't miss an opportunity to play on his tractors," Pam said with a smile.And so on Sunday morning, a sea of blue shirts lined up at a starting line, and at the signal, began running on the first leg of the race on The David Fleetwood Memorial Trail.Who ran?Michele and Claus Herrmann of Effort participated because they wanted to support their community and do it in honor of Fleetwood."He was a good friend to Scouting," said Herrmann, an assistant Scout leader of Boy Scouts Troop 98.It was Troop 98 that helped Fleetwood in creating the trail, clearing a lot of the brush.Keith Scheller, Karen and Bob Adamonis of Saylorsburg all worked with Fleetwood in their association with West End Little League."He was very committed to community service. He really believed in that," Scheller said."He was a great person, willing to give everything to the community," said Bob Adamonis, a Little League coach with Fleetwood.Ed Reynolds, 65, of Albrightsville, heard about the fundraiser through his friend Jim Mannello, the coordinator of the event. He decided to run, something he's been doing for about 30 years, because it was for a worthy cause. He thought the trail was fantastic and he couldn't help but notice that everyone participating wore smiles the whole time.A great guyChestnuthill Township Supervisor Chris Eckert acted as emcee of the ceremony before the run. He asked for a moment of silence in memory of Fleetwood, the recently slain Pennsylvania state police trooper Cpl. Bryon Dickson and the five people who were killed in an automobile crash Saturday.Chestnuthill Township Supervisor Chairman Chuck Gould said that Fleetwood was as fine a public servant and community activist as you'd ever find.Other township officials who worked with Fleetwood, including Chris McDermott, June O'Neill, Joe McDonald and David Albright, were some of the participants and all agreed that Fleetwood was "a great guy."Chris Doerbecker, WEPOSC chairman, said Fleetwood was "a man of integrity, a pivotal force, and it was an honor and privilege to know him."Organizer Mannello and several volunteers spent hours setting up the trail, saying they learned how under the tutelage of another great guy, Scott Ewing, a friend and fellow runner who lost his life earlier this year. He asked for a moment of silence in his memory. He couldn't thank enough his finish line team, Friends of WEPOSC, Kozen and all the sponsors and supporters of the event."But here's the fun part ... this trail will be here forever."Kozen said they had hoped at least 100 people would participate, so getting 250 meant a lot."Dave was such a great guy. We'd do anything to keep his legacy alive," Kozen said.The winnersIn 19 minutes and 38 seconds, the first person to cross the finish line was Kirt Joseph of Tobyhanna. He said the trail was one of the best he's ever run on. He applauded the organizers, saying it was well-marked and there were a lot of volunteers along the trail.The last of the participants crossed the finish line at 10:30 a.m. amid cheers. More cheers followed when Eckert said there would definitely be another Dave Fleetwood Memorial Trail Run and Walk next year.In the words of Pam Fleetwood, "As you can see, something positive came out of that terrible evening. I want to say 'Thank you' on behalf of David's family, and my own family, for bringing a bright light into what would otherwise be a very black hole in our lives."