Special Olympics Torch Run Travels Through Lorton

Fairfax County law enforcement officers carried the Flame of Hope through Lorton on Thursday afternoon, as it traveled to Richmond for Friday’s opening ceremonies of the Virginia Special Olympics Summer Games.

Don Gotthardt of the Fairfax County Police Department Public Information Office said that the Flame of Hope was handed to Colonel Dave Rohrer, chief of the Fairfax County Police, when it passed into Fairfax County. 

Chief Rohrer is the 2011 Virginia Torch Run Chair.  Earlier this week, he presented $846,540 to Special Olympics on behalf of the Torch Run.  As the Torch Run continued through Fairfax County, the Flame of Hope was  randomly passed to the next bearer about every five minutes.

Since 1986 the Virginia Law Enforcement Torch Run has promoted the mission of Special Olympics, and raised money to support Special Olympics' athletes.The Virginia Special Olympics Summer Games will take place at various venues in Richmond on June 10 and 11.