SPRINGFIELD – Last week, Springfield Police Department officers trekked four miles from Springfield to Eugene in support of the Law Enforcement Torch Run benefiting Special Olympics Oregon.
Around 10 a.m., about 10 SPD officers left the Justice Center and ran north on Pioneer Parkway East to Centennial Boulevard. Lieutenant Kyle Potter held the silver torch with the Flame of Hope during takeoff. Police motorcycles and vehicles made a safety cushion for folks running in the road.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is an international movement to raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics. According to Tiffany Monroe, management analyst for SPD, the department has been involved with the Torch Run since at least the early 1980s.
Each year in Oregon, law enforcement agencies throughout the state do local torch runs in the two weeks leading up to the Special Olympics Oregon Summer State Games. The games took place last weekend at Oregon State University.
“SPD has a long-standing relationship with our local program, Eugene-Springfield Special Olympics, having had many members coach various sports throughout the years,” Monroe said. “We are very proud of our relationship with the athletes. Events like these allow our officers and staff to participate in something positive and rewarding.”
The SPD crew met up with Eugene Police Department runners at the John Serbu Campus and took off toward Club Road, ending at Valley River Center. Special Olympics athletes hopped in the group to finish off the roughly five-mile run.
Maya Molyneaux, a 20-year-old Special Olympics participant, crossed the finish line with the torch in hand.
“It was awesome; it feels good,” she said.
Molyneaux played softball for the first time at the Special Olympics Oregon Summer State Games last weekend.
Lane County Sheriff’s Office also participated in the run. A dog character in a trenchcoat met folks at the finish line. Monroe said McGruff the Crime Dog is a national mascot for crime prevention.
“EPD brought him out this year, and the athletes loved it,” Monroe said.
