What is the Law Enforcement Torch Run?

Started in 1981 by Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon, the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is Special Olympics’ largest grassroots fund-raiser and public awareness vehicle in the world.  Law enforcement officers throughout the world carry the "Flame of Hope" through the streets of their communities and deliver it to their local, state, national or world Special Olympics Games.

In addition to the actual Torch Run, the program features a variety of fundraising opportunities including merchandise sales, donations and pledges for Torch Runners, and community events such as Polar Plunges, Fire Truck Pulls and 5K runs.

Why get involved?

In addition to formally guarding the “Flame of Hope” for Special Olympics, law enforcement officers help raise awareness and funds.  The LETR activities in communities across Texas increase public awareness and understanding of Special Olympics.  Working with Special Olympics Texas through the Torch Run can also accomplish many departments’ community service goals by providing a helping hand outside of regular law enforcement duties.  Officers are seen as friends and people, rather than uniforms.  The Torch Run provides a common cause and bond for members of a department working shifts at various locations and times and bonds officers with the larger brotherhood of law enforcement for a common cause.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest fundraiser for Special Olympics Texas.  In 2010, LETR officers from across Texas raised more than $820,000 to support 40,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities who participate in year-round SOTX programming.  Funds raised through the Torch Run help offset the expenses for local, area, regional and state competitions, and are specifically used for facility rental, housing, meals, equipment rental and purchase, officials’ fees, and medals.  Your support is vital to the success of and provision of programs for Special Olympics Texas.  This year the Texas Law Enforcement Torch Run will attempt to raise $1 million dollars.

Click here to download the Texas Law Enforcement Torch Run recruitment brochure.

For more information or to get your agency involved, contact:
Doug Ray, Senior Development Director - Torch Run
dray@sotx.org or 214.943.9981

Judy Luquette, Development Director - Torch Run
jluquette@sotx.org or 713.290.0049