Wethersfield Officer to Carry Torch at Special Olympics World Games

WETHERSFIELD, CT — Lt. Don Crabtree of the Wethersfield Police Department, will represent law enforcement officers from Connecticut and the USA in the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg for the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria.

Crabtree has been a volunteer for Special Olympics Connecticut, through the Law Enforcement Torch Run program, for more than 20 years and presently serves one of the Torch Run program’s executive directors.

Crabtree will be among 84 law enforcement officers and 10 Special Olympics athletes representing 24 countries and taking turns running across 49 towns and cities in Austria, carrying the “Flame of Hope,” from March 9 to 18, to raise awareness and support for Special Olympics.

The Run will culminate at the Special Olympics Winter World Games Opening Ceremonies at WM-Stadium Planai in Schladming, Austria on March 18. The Opening Ceremonies and coverage of the Games will be televised by ESPN/ABC.

The 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games are scheduled for March 18 to 24 in Austria and three Special Olympics Connecticut athletes will be competing including Rebecca Lamoin of Torrington in alpine skiing, Natasha De Elye Cole of West Cornwall in cross-country skiing and Stacey Shorts of Vernon in Snowshoeing.

Crabtree began his law enforcement career with the Wethersfield Connecticut Police Department in 1995. He’s held several positions in the department including patrol officer, detective, sergeant, training sergeant and lieutenant. He is currently the commander of the Administrative Services Bureau for the Police Department.

Photo Credit: WPD