MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — The Monica family is working to move forward.
They're getting bodies moving on Saturday at their second annual 5k and one-mile fun run for Sgt. Christopher Monica.
“In celebration in part of his life and legacy to be able to give back to the community,” said his oldest daughter, Ashley.
In 2017, two prison inmates killed Monica, a Baldwin State Prison correctional officer and Sgt. Curtis Billue.
That day, life stopped for the Monica family.
“Even though it's been six years without him, it's hard to adjust still,” Zoey Monica said.
She’s Monica’s younger daughter. Zoey says he meant everything to them.
“He was the greatest person in my life,” she laughed softly. “He was my hero.”
Throwing softballs together to watching her ballet recitals, she was a daddy’s girl.
“He taught me everything,” Zoey said.
Denise, Monica’s wife said she wishes he was here every day.
“He was the first person who gave me unconditional love,” she said. “Sunday would’ve been his 49th birthday. Feb. 4.”
Ashley says he wasn’t her biological dad, but it never showed.
“He meant the world to me because he accepted a 14-year-old girl as his own and never considered me anything other than his. So, he was my dad,” Ashley said.
They say Monica took every chance to volunteer and give back.
“He did River of Life at the church, he volunteered at early college as much as he could. Everybody loved him,” Zoey explained.
They say he took his kids' education very seriously, wanting better for them than what he had.
“He was getting his GED while I was in high school studying for early graduation, so we would do homework together at the table,” Ashley remembered.
Zoey said he was a positive influence in her life.
“He wanted me to make a better life for myself, so he was hard on me because he wanted me to do better and go far in life,” Zoey said.
So, while they can't move forward with him, they can still move forward for him.
“Starting a fun run to raise money for a scholarship because what he believed in, wholeheartedly, was education. This also gives back to the community in honor of my dad,” Zoey said.
Proceeds from the run will fund one scholarship for Georgia College's Early College program and one for Baldwin High School Graduates
Last year over 120 people participated.
“So, them coming out for us is such a nice give back to – not the way we lost him, but his life,” Ashley explained. “The scholarship is a nice way to give back to those who did so much for us when we lost him.
Denise says the support has been overwhelming.
“Last year was incredible and I felt him. I know that he was there,” she said.
It’s a reason to keep moving forward.
Organizers say it's not too late to sign up or donate.
You can still register to run or walk at 8 a.m. Saturday at 620 Broad Street at Millegeville's Central State Hospital Campus.
There will be food vendors and cupcakes to celebrate afterward.
Here is a link to their website if you’d still like to donate.