Who: Jacksonville Sheriff's Office

What: 26th Annual Special Olympics Florida Law Enforcement Torch Run

Where: Police Memorial Building Front Steps
 501 E. Bay St
 Jacksonville, FL 32202

When: April 13, 2007 at 10:00 am

Why: Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO) is hosting the 26th Annual Law Enforcement Torch RunŽ for Special Olympics.
 
The Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run 2007 will start at the steps of the Police Memorial Building and conclude at the Jacksonville Landing. The three-mile  and one mile routes are  available by clicking here.   

Runners, walkers, and members of the recently formed Sheriff's Office Bike Club will also be participating this year. 

Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies participating this year include: JSO, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Neptune Beach Police Department, Atlantic Beach Police Department and the Florida Department of Corrections. The run will field of over 90 athletes. 

The Law Enforcement Torch RunŽ for Special Olympics is an actual running event in which officers and special athletes run together, bringing the "Flame of Hope" to the Opening Ceremonies of local Special Olympics competitions, state/provincial Games, and National Summer or Winter Games.

The torch will arrive from Nassau County on April 12 and Jacksonville law enforcement runners will carry the "Flame of Hope" to the Jacksonville Landing, where JSO will host a brief reception for participants.  Following the run, the torch will be passed on to law enforcement officials in Clay County.

 "Participating in the Law Enforcement Torch RunŽ for Special Olympics is a proud JSO tradition," according to Sheriff John Rutherford. "This is another way we demonstrate our commitment to our community and all of its citizens. The Torch Run for Special Olympics also provides us with an event where we can spend time with fellow law enforcement professionals from other agencies, all serving here on the first coast together. Lastly, these runs and walks are an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to health and physical fitness. I am very pleased that some members of the new JSO Bike Club will be participating this year at the Torch Run, as well," he said.

The Torch Run raises funds for the Special Olympic World Summer and Winter Games. Currently JSO and participating agencies have raised more that $7500 in sponsorships from the Pop Warner Football Conference, Greater Jacksonville Athletic Association, the Police Athletic League and through T-shirt and ball cap sales.

Additional Information: The program was created in 1981 by Wichita, KS Police Chief Richard LaMunyon.  His ultimate goal was to create conscience awareness in his community about the Special Olympics. His ideas were quickly adopted by the International Association for Chiefs of Police (IACP).  And 26-years-later law enforcement agencies world wide participate.  Last year, the program raised over $25.5 million around the world. For more information about the Special Olympics please go to http://www.specialolympics.org.

The mission of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is to protect the lives and property of the citizens of this community, to preserve the peace and to prevent crime and disorder while constantly guarding personal liberties as prescribed by law.
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