Five local law enforcement officers participate in ‘Torch Run’ from Willow Springs to West Plains
This photo was taken at Heritage Tractor, the starting point of the West Plains leg of the Statewide Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Missouri. Heritage Tractor has been a supporter of the Torch Run and Special Olympics for several years, officers say. Five Ozark County law enforcement officers participated. Missouri Department of Conservation Agent Tom Leeker (second from left), Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Adam Johnson (ninth from right), Tpr. Austin Waddlington (eighth from right), Tpr. Noah Britt (seventh from right) and Kyle Hogan (fifth from left). In addition to participating in the Torch Run, local officers also organize Angling for Athletes Benefit Bass Tournament for Special Olympics which will be held Oct. 7 at Theodosia Marina.
The Statewide Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO), founded by the Missouri Police Chiefs Association (MPCA) 37 years ago, was held May 22 to June 2.
Five local law enforcement officers participated May 24, taking part in the local leg of the run which started in Willow Springs and ended in West Plains.
Officers ran to raise awareness for SOMO and the 2023 state summer games, which were held in Columbia June 2-4. The culmination of the Torch Run – the lighting of the Flame of Hope – was held during the opening ceremony June 2 at the MizzouRec on the campus of the University of Missouri.
More than 850 runners from 102 agencies from across the state participated in the 2023 Torch Run. The runners completed 36 different routes and covered close to 900 miles across the state.