Law enforcement officers hit the streets raising money for Special Olympics

Police and sheriff’s officers converged on the scene at Cherry Park early Friday, expecting to jump out of their squad cars and take off running.

They weren’t in pursuit of criminals, though.

Rock Hill, Fort Mill law enforcement and corrections officers, along with members of the solicitor’s office and area Special Olympians, gathered at the park for the annual South Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run to raise money and awareness for the Special Olympics.

“We have a strong group of guys,” said Mike Peek of the Rock Hill Police Department. “They thoroughly enjoy the mission of the Special Olympics; it’s a way we can give back to our community and support our athletes.”

The group of nearly two dozen runners jogged down Cherry Road, taking turns carrying the Flame of Hope torch. Squad cars surrounded the runners with lights flashing and occasionally sounding their horns, usually if someone waved or honked in support.

The run, which raises money and awareness for Special Olympics, picked up in Rock Hill early Friday morning on Cherry Road, with officers jogging from Cherry Park to the post office on Wilson Street, where they joined area Special Olympians for the last leg of the run to the Rock Hill Police Department.

More than 40 law enforcement agencies in South Carolina carried the Flame of Hope from their respective towns and cities to Main Street in Columbia , where they were scheduled to leave from the Statehouse Friday evening and run 7.5 miles to Fort Jackson to deliver the flame and light the cauldron for the opening of the State Summer Games.

Torch Run fundraising efforts include collecting corporate sponsorships, Torch Run apparel sales and hosting unique fundraising events such as rooftop sits, polar plunges and golf tournaments.

Officers volunteer their time to support their local athletes, with all funds raised by law enforcement personnel going to Special Olympics. Donations are directed into program support and development, expenses for athlete participation in local, regional, state and international competitions as well as training workshops and conferences.

This story was originally published May 6, 2016 at 5:59 PM with the headline "Law enforcement officers hit the streets raising money for Special Olympics."