Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run Passes Through Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, CT — The Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run passed through Middletown Thursday.

The local group ran 5 miles with the Flame of Hope.

The torch run's roots can be traced back to 1981 when Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon fashioned the idea to help law enforcement officials become be more active in the community and support the Special Olympics.

Two years later, he presented the program to the International Association of Chiefs of Police, which decided to endorse Torch Run.

Known as Guardians of the Flame, law enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes carry the Flame of Hope into Opening Ceremonies of local competitions. They also carry it into Special Olympics State, Provincial, National, Regional and World Games.

There are over 97,000 law enforcement members that carry the Flame of Hope annually.

The flame symbolizes "courage and celebration of diversity uniting communities around the globe," according to the special Olympics.

The Torch Run has grown over the years and now includes Plane Pulls, Polar Plunges, Tip-A-Cops, and more.

Since the beginning, the LETR has raised more than $600 million for Special Olympics programs.