Police departments across Sonoma County participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run on June 12, when the Torch of Hope was carried through Sonoma County, with Cloverdale, Healdsburg and Windsor Police Departments carrying the torch through north county streets. The torch is being carried on its way to the Special Olympics Northern California Summer Games and its opening ceremony in Davis on June 22.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run was created in 1981 by Wichita Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon as a way to encourage officers to have a relationship with the community and to support Special Olympics. It is now the most successful funding event for Special Olympics.
Healdsburg Police Officer Nick Doherty, officer Teygan Mason, lieutenant Matt Jenkins, sergeant Luis Rodriguez and his son Angel ran the torch four and a half miles down Healdsburg Avenue through downtown and across Memorial Bridge to Giorgio’s, handing the torch off to the Windsor Police Department.
Jenkins said, “I have run in the torch run in each of the seven years going back to 2003 that the department has participated in the event. The torch run is a great opportunity to raise awareness and money for the Special Olympics of Northern California.” When asked about the 90-plus degree heat the day of the run, Jenkins replied, “Running a few miles in the heat is the least that we can do to help the athletes.”
“Our staff enjoys calling attention to this great event and cause, and raising money on behalf of our city and or police department,” said Police Chief Kevin Burke. Burke has carried the torch through Healdsburg in the past and said, “It’s a chance for us to come together as an organization in support of something really special.”
Jenkins says he likes running the torch as a group. “In previous years, the 4.4-mile segment was broken into smaller sections with usually only one person running at a time,” explained Jenkins. “The larger group running attracts more attention and supports the team environment the department fosters.”
The Healdsburg section of the run ended at Giorgio’s, at the south end of town, where the torch was handed off to Windsor Police Department staff.
The Special Olympics Northern California Summer Games run from June 22 to 24. After weeks of training and qualifying meets, over 700 athletes will be competing in bocce, swimming, tennis and track and field events on the UC Davis campus. Officers carry the torch through California announcing the beginning of the Special Olympics games, and on to the Summer Games Opening Ceremony on the eve of June 22. There, officers and athletes will light the Special Olympics Cauldron, officially opening the Summer Games.
