"Guardians of the Flame"
Officers from local, county, state, federal and military agencies are involved in carrying the "Flame of Hope"
Torch Run Bio...
In 1981, Chief Richard LaMunyon of the Wichita, Kansas Police Department
conceived the Law Enforcement Torch Run as a way to involve his officers
in the community by running a torch relay for their local Special Olympics.
The first Torch Run involved six officers and they raised no money. Over
twenty-five years later, the Torch Run has grown to include over 100
separate runs in over 35 countries. In 2007, over 85,000 law enforcement
personnel raised more that $32 million to support community based sport
programs for people who have a mental handicap. The Torch Run
has become the largest grassroots fundraising event for Special Olympics.
The 2008 Southern California Law Enforcement Torch Run will involve more that 3500 officers who will proudly carry the Special Olympics Torch over 1,500 miles and through more than 200 communities. The officers, representing all types of law enforcement agencies throughout the state, collect donations for their participation and are sponsored by civic groups, local businesses and generous friends. They also raise money through Tip-a-Cop dinners, "Cops & Lobsters" dinners at particpating Red Lobster restaurants, Plane Pulls, 5K/10K runs, Raffles, Car Shows, Fire Truck Pulls, Bike Rides, Polar Plunges, Adopt-a-Cop programs, golf tournaments and other special events. Officers volunteer their time to support their local athletes. Because of our volunteer base, all monies raised by law enforcement personnel go to Special Olympics. These funds are directed into program support and development, expenses for athlete participation in local, regional, state and international competitions as well as training workshops and conferences.
Southern California Law Enforcement Torch Run Benefiting Special Olympics
6730 East Carson St., Long Beach, CA 90808 (w) 562.354.2602
In the Spotlight
New 2008 Torch Run T-shirt logo (right) was designed by Ryan Milner of CSULB.
Current Events...
Disneyland ½ Marathon
August 31, 2008, Disneyland Resort
Chief Roberta Abner presented a $900,000 check to Rafer Johnson for the 2008 Torch Run.
