Law enforcement agencies pass the torch for special olympics
This morning law enforcement agencies in Yuma county participated in the Leg 5 of the relay that began at 8:00 am in San Luis and ended at the Quartermaster Depot at 12:30 pm.
After the run, there was a brief reception at the Quartermaster Depot that involved Special Olympics Yuma and city officials.
The Special Olympics opening ceremonies for the Arizona State Olympic Games begin on Friday, May 4th and continue throughout the weekend.
About 12 extraordinary local athletes participated in this year’s torch run.
One of them, Savannah Sullivan who ran two miles with the San Luis Regional Detention center.
Savannah is one of many athletes that has been a part of Special Olympics Arizona for more than two years.
Lieutenant Zavala, EMT with the San Luis Regional Detention center says, “we’ve been running with her approximately three to four years.”
Savannah along many other athletes took part in the torch run this morning. Law enforcement agencies led the run.
Officer Cory Williams is one of the organizer’s of the torch run and an officer with YPD. He is passionate about the non-profit organization and believes law enforcement agencies do not only serve as heroes to the athletes, but the athletes are their heroes too.
Williams says, “For them to see law enforcement officers seeing us interact with them you know puts a big smile on their face and even when they have games and us officers out there put the medal around their neck just to see that big smile and them come up and give you a big hug not only brightens our day, but it brightens their day. They are our heroes too.”
Several agencies took part in this year’s 30-mile torch run:
Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, Yuma Regional Medical Center, Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE); Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), Emerald Correctional Management , U.S. Marshal’s, Arizona Department of Transportation, San Luis Police Department, Yuma County Adult Probation, Arizona Department of Corrections, Marine Corps Air Station Provost Marshall’s Office (US Marine Corps), Yuma Proving Ground (US Army), Yuma County Juvenile Justice Center, Somerton Police Department, Yuma County Superior Court, United States Customs Border Protection (U.S. Border Patrol), Quechan Police Department, Cocopah Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, California Highway Patrol, Arizona Western College Police Department and Yuma Police Department.
The Flame of Hope will continue its journey towards Glendale, Arizona for the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics Arizona Summer Games at Raymond S. Kellis High School 8990 W. Orangewood Glendale, AZ. The games will be May 3rd through 5th.
