Avon Cop Going On 'Once-In-A-Lifetime' Journey For Special Olympics

AVON, CT — One of Avon's finest is fulfilling a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel and raise money to support Special Olympics, a cause close to the state's law enforcement community.

Avon Police Department officer Erin Connole has been selected as a final leg runner for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics World Games in Turin, Italy, in March, the APD wrote recently.

It requires Connole to travel to Italy later this winter and be part of a team of 80 law enforcers and Special Olympians

The final leg is a team of 80 police officers and Special Olympics Athletes from around the world.

They will carry the "Flame of Hope" across Italy. For 11 days.

"They will be pounding the pavement, cobblestone streets, and mountains daily to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics," wrote the APD.

It all ends with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron as part of the event's opening ceremonies on March 8.

But she won't be done with just a torch run, police said, as Connole will also participate in an icy polar plunge in Italy for Special Olympics.

"This is a great honor and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to support the Special Olympics movement and its athletes," said Connole in her fundraising letter.

Connole hopes to raise $10,000 for the cause, with a page set up for folks to donate to the effort online.

For more information and to help Connole raise money for Special Olympics, click on this link.