By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD/THATCHER — Law enforcement agencies from across Graham County came together Friday to support the Special Olympics through its annual Law Enforcement Torch Run.
According to Special Olympics, the mission of the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) is to raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics movement worldwide.
The Torch Run began in 1981 when Wichita, Kansas, Police Chief Richard LaMunyon launched the event. His goal was to increase law enforcement’s involvement in the community while supporting Special Olympics Kansas. In 1983, Chief LaMunyon presented the program to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), which endorsed it and became the “Founding Law Enforcement Organization.” With the IACP’s backing, the LETR has grown into the largest public awareness and fundraising initiative for Special Olympics.
Law enforcement officers, known as Guardians of the Flame, join Special Olympics athletes in carrying the “Flame of Hope” into the Opening Ceremonies of local competitions, as well as State, Provincial, National, Regional, and World Games. More than 97,000 law enforcement members participate annually. The flame represents courage, the celebration of diversity, and the power of communities uniting around the globe.
On Friday, Safford Police Chief Brian Avila was joined by officers from his department, the Thatcher Police Department, the Graham County Sheriff’s Office (including detention officers from the jail), and corrections officers from the Arizona Department of Corrections.
“This is a good cause,” Chief Avila said. “We’ve been doing it for several years… We’re just out here to show our support.”
A large group of law enforcement personnel and Special Olympics athletes participated in the event. The athletes carried the torch and led the runners along the 3.3-mile route from Firth Park in Safford to Thatcher Park in Thatcher, where the group enjoyed a celebratory barbecue.
Traffic control along Highway 70 was provided by Thatcher Police Chief Glen Orr, Graham County UnderSheriff Jeff McCormies, and other officers, who kept the far right lane clear for the runners who were on the sidewalk.
Lt. Jess Campos from ASPC-San Jose helped organize the event and the barbecue, while ASPC-Safford Warden Angie Camacho joined her team from the prisons.
“I’m just real excited to be here and be supportive of the torch run,” Camacho said. “It’s something that we like to do every year, and we make it really big. We have an excellent staff here at corrections.”
Chief Avila noted that the event helps raise both funds and awareness for Special Olympics athletes who benefit from extra community support.
“It just shows that we’re all on one team and that we’re behind everybody,” Avila said.
