CrossFit community comes to aid of injured police officer with extreme workout fundraiser

In less than a month after his motorcycle crash and a partial loss of his left leg, San Diego Police Detective James “Chappie” Hunter was back at the gym on Saturday—but this time with nearly 200 supporters and friends doing CrossFit to help raise money for a needed prosthetic.

Hunter started the Workout of the Day (WOD) with intense wall ball, kettle bell swings, push press, double unders and then the rower without skipping a beat.

And he placed in the top four total repetition counts for individual men.

In less than a month after his motorcycle crash and a partial loss of his left leg, San Diego Police Detective James “Chappie” Hunter was back at the gym on Saturday—but this time with nearly 200 supporters and friends doing CrossFit to help raise money for a needed prosthetic.

Hunter started the Workout of the Day (WOD) with intense wall ball, kettle bell swings, push press, double unders and then the rower without skipping a beat.

And he placed in the top four total repetition counts for individual men.

Hunter said he was overwhelmed and grateful for the support of his family and CrossFit community and has no doubt he will come out stronger, be able to get back to work and back to training. 

“I am going to match the people that are working out here today so I can motivate you,” he said. “Because if I can do it. Damn it, you guys can do it a lot more than me.”

His friend of 13 years, Mike Spears, owner of CrossFit RDS located at Skyline Church in La Mesa said Hunter began CrossFit training at his facility, wanting a “home” to train at rather than his garage.

Spears said the Thursday before June 16 they were working out together and he was leaving for Chicago the next day and he said, “I’ll see you when you get back”

“I got in from Chicago on Sunday night and had a bunch of text messages and calls that Chappie was in a motorcycle accident and had lost his left leg,” he said. “That weighed on my heart. The guy is a good dude and I love him.”

Spears said he automatically knew he needed to do something and with the help of the CrossFit community and Skyline Church, organized the workout.

“We put the flyer out there saying we were having a workout for Chappie, because the prosthetic to get him back into to CrossFit cost $25,000 and said let’s do this for him,” he said. “It cost $25 for an individual to work out, $100 for a team. Everything that we are doing here, fundraisers, raffle tickets, t-shirt and equipment sales. It all goes to Chappie.”

Misty Cedrun, part of the Chappie’s Angels team of four female police officers, said their name is an obvious pun. She said the team was a bit concerned because none of them were Cross Fitters, but they were there to support and raise money for him.

“We love Chappie and we work with him,” Cedrun said. “We are here to support him in any way we can. We just want to make sure we don’t hurt ourselves so we can go back and do our job. That would be a bad thing.”

Lisa Mills, Skyline Church, assistant sports ministry said Chappie is part of the fully functioning CrossFit Box rented by CrossFit RSD, so he is part of the CrossFit family.

“The accident was horrible and it impacted all of us,” said Mills. “Even if we don’t work out with him often, he is still family. We wanted to be a part of something to help him out. Mike came to us and we fully supported his fundraiser and are proud to be a part of it. We have staff here today working and they are all volunteering their time so that everything that is raised goes to Chappie. Every penny of it.”

At last count on Saturday, Mills estimated 200 participants and about the same number of people coming to support during the three-hour fundraising event.

Off duty, Hunter was struck by a car in Alpine by a 15-year-old student driver in June. He said he is thankful for the first responders that saved his life and for the CrossFit community and members of the community that kept him motivated.

“CrossFit saved my life,” said Hunter. “I think the physical aspect of CrossFit really saved my life and the mental aspect afterwards to get me keep going and push forward and not be depressed and whining.”

To make a contribution, send a check to the San Diego Police Officers Association with “Detective Chappie Hunter” in the memo line to 8388 Vickers St., San Diego, CA 92111.