Los Alamos Police Officers, family members and Special Olympic Athletes gathered for a group photo this morning in front of the police station before participating in the 2023 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Mexico. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
Special Olympic Athletes from left, Sam Zimmerly, Addy Montoya, Jenny Martinez and Jason Osborne hold a banner this morning in front of the police station as they prepare to run the Torch 20 miles down to Pojoaque. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
Saff Report:
Los Alamos Police Officers, family members and Special Olympic Athletes participated this morning in the 2023 Law Enforcement Torch Run®. They gathered for a group photo in front of the police station at 2500 Trinity Dr. before running the Torch 20 miles down to Buffalo Thunder in Pojoaque where they joined BIA and passed the Torch to IGUA. The group then traveled back to the Los Alamos Police Station where lunch was provided to all participants and those who support the event.
This is the 55th year of the Special Olympics, however the Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1981 and the LAPD has been running the torch since the 1990s.
The New Mexico Law Enforcement Torch Run® (NMLETR) is a community-building organization that promotes and empowers New Mexico law enforcement agencies to raise awareness and funds year-round for Special Olympics.
Known as Guardians of the Flame, law enforcement members work to build inclusive communities and bring hope to Special Olympics athletes and their families, all while raising funds for Special Olympics locally and globally.
The officer-led Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) program in New Mexico offers LETR Agencies (law enforcement officers and their families) fun, rewarding experiences through seasonal fundraising activities and other enriching events with and for local Special Olympics athletes and their families.
More than 200 New Mexico law enforcement personnel from more than 30 Federal, Military, State, County and Local agencies participate in the Torch Run. Funds are raised through a variety of activities and fundraisers, with the highlight being the month-long, 1,600-mile statewide run culminating at the Special Olympics New Mexico State Summer Games in Albuquerque each year.
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Learn more here.
Running with the Torch this morning from left, Cpl. Robert Stephens’ wife Jasmine Stephens, Special Olympic Athlete Addy Montoya, Deputy Chief Oliver Morris and Special Olympic Athlete Jenny Martinez. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
Special Olympic Athlete Addy Montoya carrying the Torch this morning with Deputy Police Chief Oliver Morris on their way down to Pojoaque. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
