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POLAND SPRING — The Deputy Dennis P. Sampson Community 5K Run/Walk will step off Saturday, June 22, in the memory of Androscoggin County Sampson, who died unexpectedly at his residence in Poland May 5, while off-duty.
Registration will begin at 8:15 a.m., followed by a start time of 9 a.m. at Poland Spring Inn, 640 Maine St. (Route 26). The starting line will be on the property at Preservation Park.
Prior to June 1, registration is $20 adults, $10 ages 6-17, 5 and under free. After June 1, the price increases to $25 for adults, $15 for ages 6 to 17, 5 and under free
Poland Spring Heritage Days will follow starting at 10 a.m.
The funds raised will be used for a scholarship to a graduating Poland Regional High School student entering the field of “first responders” (law enforcement, police, fire, rescue, and EMS). Sampson spent a lot of time in schools, and occasionally students were granted the opportunity to job shadow with him.
Sampson was born in Lewiston in 1966 and grew up in Auburn. He was the youngest son of Richard R. Sampson and Georgette Gobeil Sampson and earned his Eagle Scout in 1983, living the principles he learned in the Scouts his whole life. He graduated from ELHS in 1985 and entered the Army Reserves soon after graduating. He served as a reserve police officer for the city of Auburn as well as a full time officer with the Paris Police Department upon graduating from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in 1991. Sampson had been serving in the Androscoggin Sheriff’s Department since 2005.
On Oct. 25, 1991, he married Celeste Perrier; together they built their home in Poland, living there since 1995. They welcomed their son Jeremy into their family in 1998.
Sampson loved spending time with his family. He also loved the outdoors, often cleaning and cutting trees to expand his outdoor living space. He was well known for his kindness and compassion, sense of humor and quick wit. He was a committed community member who enjoyed serving others. For more information or to register, visit dps5k.weebly.com.
