Local law enforcement from the Bellefontaine Police Department, firefighters from the Bellefontaine Fire Department, and the Logan County Braves took part in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Ohio in Bellefontaine Tuesday morning.
The Southwest Regional Director for the Law Enforcement Torch Run Special Olympics Ohio, Kennon Coleman, set up a leg in Bellefontaine. Coleman is a sergeant with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office in Lebanon, and he has participated for nine years. This year is his first year as Director.
The Torch Run started at the Bellefontaine Police Department and ended at the Logan County Sheriff’s Office. The leg consisted of law enforcement and first responders running down West Sandusky Avenue to County Road 32, which is approximately 1.9 miles.
The Wapakoneta Police Department, Bellefontaine Fire Department, Logan County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol all assisted and escorted the runners safely on the roads.
Community members and workers from local businesses were cheering on the runners throughout the leg.
Athletes from the Logan County Braves Special Olympics participated in the run and joined them near the finish line to help carry the torch.
Before the run started, a moment of silence was honored for four fallen Ohio officers and deputies that have passed away within the last year.
Coleman explains why the Law Enforcement Torch Run is a great cause and beneficial for society:
This year marks the 42nd year of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. Special Olympics’ largest grassroots movement was established by members of the law enforcement community in Wichita, Kansas in 1981, and has become a worldwide movement spanning more than 45 countries. The mission of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is to increase awareness and raise funds for the Special Olympics Ohio movement and its core programs.
Proceeds raised help to provide year-round sports, health education, and leadership programs for over 200,000 Special Olympics Ohio athletes.
Together, inclusion for individuals with intellectual disabilities is celebrated both on and off the playing field. The law enforcement community is advancing the inclusion revolution here in Ohio, across the U.S., and throughout the world.
If you wish, you may donate to this cause here.
