Dover Police Department Participates in Special Olympics Delaware Law Enforcement Torch Run

If you were traveling downtown or on Route 13 on Thursday, you may have seen law enforcement officers from across the state running the Delaware Special Olympics torch as part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run.  The torch entered the Dover Police jurisdiction in the area of South Governors Avenue and was run to Legislative Hall by Dover Police officers while being escorted by the Dover Police Motorcycle Unit.  After a brief ceremony at Legislative Hall, the torch continued its journey through Dover by traveling north on  State Street and onto US Rt 13 before being passed off to neighboring agencies.

For several years the Dover Police Department has participated in the Special Olympics of Delaware.  The signature event for Delaware Law Enforcement for Special Olympics (LESO) is the annual Torch Run, when over 500 police officers carry the Flame of Hope 160 miles over three days across the state, leading up to the Opening Ceremonies of the Summer Games.  One of the organization’s largest grass-roots volunteer movements involves hundreds of thousands of law enforcement officers throughout the world volunteering their time to raise awareness and money for Special Olympics. Here in Delaware, every agency is represented in law enforcement’s year-round effort.  Police officers’ volunteer efforts include organizing fundraising events, soliciting advertisements for the SODE Yearbook, and having a presence at all awards ceremonies, regardless of the size of the event.  More than $4.3 million has been raised in 27 years.  The Dover Police Department takes great pride in this annual event and as a result, has many officers volunteer for the run and the games.  You can find out more information about the Special Olympics at the following links:

Delaware Special Olympics Website  

Law Enforcement Torch Run Facebook Page