Carrying A Torch For Special Olympics

By Ellyn Santiago

Groton City, Groton Town and Stonington police departments participate in Connecticut Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run

The first leg of the 2013 Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) took officers from Old Lyme to Ledyard and included runners from Groton City, Groton Town and Stonington Police Departments Wednesday June 5.

Covering more than 530 miles through more than 100 cities and towns, more than 1,500 law enforcement officers and Special Olympics Athletes are participating in this year's Torch Run. The run began Wednesday and concludes at the opening ceremonies for the 2013 Special Olympics Summer Games at the Southern Connecticut State University on June 7. This year’s goal is to raise $550,000 for Special Olympics Connecticut.

As described on the SOCT website, the Law Enforcement Torch Run in Connecticut is more than just an event. It is a mission, a serious commitment by the law enforcement community to pay homage to our heroes, the Special Olympics Connecticut athletes and their families.

The Torch Run slogan is: Keep running, Keep believing, Keep inspiring.

Stonington Police officers, staff and new Community Service Officers (Sgt. William Morrison, who has participated in the Torch Run for the past 11 years; police department employee Chris Gomes, who has been involved in the Torch Run for the past five years, Officer Kerry Manley, who has run for the past five years were joined by CSOs Lindsey Michaels, Mike Macione and William Schmeelk) were handed the torch by Groton officers in downtown Mystic Wednesday afternoon. The runners were continuing on North Stonington and then to Ledyard where a rally was planned.