Laguna Beach Police and Fire Officials Carry Torch for Special Olympics

Firefighters, police officers and lifeguards from Laguna Beach and Newport Beach participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run early Thursday morning, which raises awareness of the Special Olympics, the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

The run began at the Laguna Beach firehouse at 8:30 a.m., where members of the city’s fire, police and marine safety departments met to help carry the torch to Newport Beach.

It was a brisk 60 degrees, the sun was rising, and the sky was clear.

“I’m confident I’ll make it,” said Officer Jon Coutchie of the LBPD before starting his run.

“(But) I’m not sure I’ll be at the front …” he added.

More than 85,000 law enforcement officers from across 35 nations are expected to participate in the Special Olympics Torch Run. In California, 3,500 officers are expected to run 1,500 miles through 200 communities, according to Steve Burdette, spokesperson for the Newport Beach Police Department.

Surrounded by a motorcade that included a fire truck, a police truck and two motorcycles, the joggers began their 5.5 mile run north on Coast Highway to the intersection of Newport Coast, where they would hand the torch off to the Newport Beach runners.

Rebecca Walke, Regional Volunteer of Special Olympics of Southern California Orange County, said the run serves a number of important functions.

“It calls attention to the (struggles of) people with intellectual disabilities,” Walke said.

It also highlights the support local law enforcement provides the Special Olympics, and it helps raise money too, she added.

“Local law enforcement is very important for our movement,” Walke said.

After the Laguna Beach crew came to a stop, most of the 12 runners looked a little tired.

Kim McSorley with the Laguna Beach Police Department was one of them.  

How was her run?

“Hilly. But good. It felt good, but very hilly. Did I mention hilly?” McSorley joked.

At about 10 a.m., the Newport Beach runners arrived and Officer Coutchie, who had been holding the torch, handed it to Detective Tracy McKenzie of the NBPD.

McKenzie sounded focused.

“(We’re) doing our job to get this torch through our city and onto Costa Mesa,” McKenzie said.

After the torch was lit, the runners passed the torch to Newport Beach Police Chief Jay Johnson, who led the front of the pack when they began their run to Mariners Park in Newport Beach.

Just like the Laguna Beach runners, the Newport Beach runners would transfer the torch throuhout their group over their more than five-mile journey to eventually hand the torch to the Costa Mesa Police Department.  

NBPD Detective Darrin Joe said he has participated in the event for at least four years.

“It’s nice to run for a good cause,” Joe said. Plus, he adds, “Running promotes good health. Gotta stay in shape to be a good police officer.”

For NBPD School Resource Officer Marie Gamble, the event has personal meaning.

“I have a cousin who has Down syndrome and he’s actively participated in the Special Olympics,” Gamble said.

Before the Newport crew disappeared into the distance, Special Olympics manager Walke mentioned that the truck she was driving was full of torches, lighter fluid (for the torches) and maps to every police department in the county.

“If I get pulled over, it could look bad,” she joked.

For more information on the Special Olympics, click here to visit their website.