

Law Enforcement Torch Run
What is the Law Enforcement Torch Run?
The Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) is the largest public awareness vehicle and grass-roots fundraiser for Special Olympics. Known honorably as Guardians of the Flame, law enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes carry the “Flame of Hope” into the Opening Ceremony of local competitions, and into Special Olympics State, Provincial, National, Regional and World Games. Annually, more than 109,000 dedicated and compassionate law enforcement members carry the “Flame of Hope,” symbolizing courage and celebration of diversity uniting communities around the globe.
The man behind the first Torch Run in 1981 was Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon. He conceived the Torch Run as a way to involve local law enforcement personnel in the community and to support Special Olympics. The Torch Run was quickly adopted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) now recognized as the founding law enforcement organization for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.
Today, the Torch Run is more than just a run and encompasses a variety of fundraising vehicles such as T-shirt and merchandise sales, special events to include polar bear plunges, Tip-a-Cop and building sits and a host of other events that have local, state and national appeal. The Law Enforcement Torch Run transforms communities by inspiring people to open their minds, to accept an include people with intellectual disabilities, celebrating differences among all people..recognizing and respecting the similarities we all share. For athletes and officers alike, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is a story of success, love, respect, and commitment between law enforcement officers and Special Olympic's athletes.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run in Connecticut
In 1986, Connecticut had its first Torch Run with a few legs converging onto the campus of the University of Connecticut at Storrs. The run then became a statewide event involving several more cities and towns. Since its inception, the Connecticut Law Enforcement Torch Run has grown into the largest grassroots fund-raising event for Special Olympics Connecticut.
Click HERE to visit the Connecticut Law Enforcement Torch Run web portal for more info.
Connecticut Participation at a Glance
- 1,500 active and retired law enforcement
- Over 90 active municipal departments
- 18 Department of Correction facilities
- Military police and Federal employees (IRS, FBI, DOD, etc)
- Connecticut State Police
- College & University Public Safety
Follow us on social media @CTLETR.
Be sure to check out photos from events year-round by visiting our Smug Mug album HERE.
Council
Co-Torch Run Directors
Assistant Torch Run Director
Lieutenant Tim Bernier, Guilford PD
Statewide Torch Run Liaison
Department Rankings
2020 Top Ten
1. Middletown Police Department
2. Wilton Police Department
3. Cheshire Police Department
4. Monroe Police Department
5. University of Connecticut Police Department
6. Bristol Police Department
7. Brookfield Police Department
8. Vernon Police Department
9. Fairfield University Department of Public Safety
10. Connecticut State Police Traffic Services
Honorable Mention:
Fairfield Police Department
Meriden Police Department
MacDougal-Walker Correctional Institution
Southington Police Department
Law Enforcement Torch Run Sponsors