Lieutenant Lisa Otterbacher
Whitewater Police Department

Lisa Otterbacher has been involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) since 1995, when a new officer joined her police department and introduced her to the amazing opportunities that Special Olympics has to offer. She helps coordinate logistics at the City of Whitewater Police Department’s participation in the LETR Final Leg, and always strives to “keep the spirit of Special Olympics going.”

When she began participating in the Final Leg, Otterbacher knew very little about Special Olympics, but did know that she wanted to help with the organization in any way possible. Otterbacher explains that, “Like so many police and sheriff departments, there are a bunch of officers and deputies who have a calling to help make a difference, so they just jump in. Simply put, that is what cops do, on and off the job.”

Otterbacher has always seen the idea of being part of one leg of the run as very important, but truly began to feel passionate about Special Olympics when she was asked to be a standard bearer where she escorted Area athletes into the Opening Ceremonies which made her decide to run an additional leg of the Torch Run as well. “The Opening Ceremonies brought tears to my eyes,” Otterbacher explains. “It was so incredibly moving to be among those heartfelt athletes who put their heart and soul into everything they do; I was honored and humbled; what a truly wonderful experience. It is at Opening Ceremonies that you really understand the whole concept of Special Olympics.”

Otterbacher’s favorite thing about Special Olympics is getting the chance to work with the athletes. She loves how they have become involved with the start of each leg of the event, and getting to share in their excitement on the day of the event. “They provide the purpose and meaning to the whole event; it is such an inspiring way to start the day!”

Lieutenant Dave Gerber, of the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office and assistant LETR Director, describes Lisa’s dedication to the LETR and Special Olympics. “Lisa has been involved with the Torch Run for a number of years and has been invaluable in coordinating the Torch Run through the City of Whitewater. Lisa takes care of all of the planning and coordinating of our run through Whitewater. I cannot thank her enough for all her help and commitment to Special Olympics."

Otterbacher’s husband and children are also active and annually participant in several LETR events.

Special Olympics Wisconsin would like to personally thank Lieutenant Otterbacher for her unwavering commitment and encouraging attitude as she continues to support more than 10,000 athletes. Thank you Lieutenant Otterbacher!

Investigator Mark Mauthe
City of Menasha Police Department

Mark Mauthe, Investigator for the City of Menasha Police Department, represented Wisconsin in the Law Enforcement Torch Run^® Final Leg for the 2010 USA National Games in Lincoln, Nebraska. On Sunday, July 11, Mauthe joined the Final Leg Team of 110 members comprised of law enforcement runners, nine Special Olympics athletes and Support Team members from across the United States who will serve as Guardians of the Flame^® while carrying the Flame of Hope™ from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, the site of the of the last USA National Games in 2006, to Lincoln, Nebraska.

The Flame of Hope entered Omaha, Nebraska on the evening of July 11th and then traveled throughout the state for one week. The Final Leg Team conducted runs and ceremonies in over 70 cities and towns throughout Nebraska before arriving at the USA National Games Opening Ceremonies in Lincoln on July 18, 2010.

Investigator Mauthe has been on the City of Menasha Police Department for 23 years. His involvement with Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) began in 1988 when he participated in a local Final Leg.

"Students from area schools were out cheering runners on. At one point we stopped at a business that employs Special Olympics athletes. There were lots of high fives and smiling faces," he said.

Mark presents medals to athletes at his local Games and participates in events like Lock-up-a-Cop, Cops and Lobsters and the Polar Plunge^®, and is on the Torch Run State Committee. He received the 2005 Menasha Police Department Teamwork Award, and the 2009 SOWI Volunteer of the Year Award. Mark is married with two daughters and in his spare time he enjoys biking and camping.

The Torch Run is the largest grass-roots fundraising program and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics. Law enforcement officers from the 50 United States, 11 Canadian provinces and territories and 43 countries carry the Flame of Hope in honor of Special Olympics athletes. Wisconsin’s Torch Run is the fifth highest grossing program in the world, having raised more than $1.8 million in 2009 with more than 1,000 registered participants representing 170 law enforcement agencies.

Michelle Dujardin
City of Whitewater Parks and Recreation Department

Michelle Dujardin, a Recreation and Community Events Programmer for the City of Whitewater Parks and Recreation Department, has helped to organize the Whitewater Polar Plunge for the past three years. Last year, after participating in the Torch Run in Elkhorn, Dujardin extended her volunteer work to help plan the Law Enforcement Torch Run

“It’s a great feeling when you see the smiles on the athlete’s faces as they start their journey toward the State Games,” said Dujardin.

From plunging in the sub-zero waters at the La Crosse Polar Plunge to attending the State Summer Games Opening Ceremonies and running in several 2010 final legs, Dujardin isn’t afraid to show her support for the 10,000 Special Olympics athletes in Wisconsin.

“I enjoy seeing everyone come together to jump into freezing water during a blizzard for an amazing cause. Special Olympic athletes are inspiring on so many different levels.”

Officer Kathy Selck
Watertown Police Department

The Watertown Police Department has been lucky to have a compassionate, dedicated officer like Kathy Selck on staff for almost nine years.  Prior to working in Watertown, Selck spent a year each at the UW-Whitewater Police Department and the Palmyra Police Department. 

Selck had her first experience in working with Special Olympics athletes in high school when she volunteered at a group home.  “I was hooked,” Selck says. “The athletes were incredible. The enthusiasm and pure joy they have for life cannot be compared to anything else.” This type of fun, interactive experience is what has inspired Selck to continue her involvement with Special Olympics for more than eight years. “I love seeing the excitement and joy in the athletes,” she said.

She now is an active participant in the Law Enforcement Torch Run, and has just recently expanded her involvement to serve as a member of the Law Enforcement Torch Run State Committee.  Selck also participates in the volleyball tournaments that are hosted in Watertown.

When asked about her favorite memory from her involvement with Special Olympics, Selck replied, “Do I have to pick just one? It would have to be reuniting with an athlete that I used to work with in college at a volleyball tournament. She remembered me, and came running up to hug me.”

Special Olympics Wisconsin would like to personally thank Officer Selck for her unwavering commitment and encouraging attitude as she continues to support more than 10,000 athletes. Thank you Officer Selck!

Texas Roadhouse Guardians of the Flame® in Kenosha

On January 18, Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) Southeastern Area and Texas Roadhouse in Kenosha teamed up to raise nearly $7,000 during the 2nd annual Guardians of the Flame® Lunch.

Key law enforcement volunteers and Texas Roadhouse management decided to hold the event on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day last year and continued the tradition in 2010. The day was chosen because state employees could participate on their day off, and also to follow the encouragement by the Governor to consider the holiday as a call to volunteer.

“I love the Special Olympics event that we do every year,” Texas Roadhouse Assistant Service Manager Stefanie “Sammy” Malek said. “It really gives us a chance to make a difference and partner with the community.”

Local law enforcement partnered up with wait staff to serve free lunch to patrons during the three hour event. All “tips” the officers earned will benefit the 1,500 athletes in the SOWI Southeastern Area. Texas Roadhouse generously donated all the food for the estimated 1,100 meals served. Twenty-five members of the Texas Roadhouse wait staff and five management personnel also donated their time to participate.

“The Special Olympics event we had this year was amazing.  One of the athletes even remembered me from last year!  When I was walking him to his table, he grabbed my hand and held it until we got to his seat.  I’m glad that I was part of such an important day,” server Meghan Downes said.

For those who couldn’t leave work, the event also offered delivery to areas such as the Kenosha County Jail and the hospital. Over 200 meals were served by officers just through delivery, bringing in almost $1,500 in tips!

Local law enforcement that participated include officers from the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department, Kenosha Police Department, Racine Correctional Institution, Racine Youthful Offender Correctional Facility, UW-Parkside Police Department, and Wisconsin Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Agents.

Thank you to everyone for the participation in this hugely successful event! Texas Roadhouse and SOWI Southeastern Area plan to team up again for the Guardians of the Flame lunch next year.

View event photos

Merle Cooney
Special Olympics Wisconsin Athlete 

Merle Cooney is known to many as an avid supporter of the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Wisconsin. He spent three years as an athlete member of the LETR State Committee, from 2006 – 2009.

Cooney helps set up the LETR softball throw at Summer Games and has also been a key volunteer for the Area 2 Rooftop Challenge. He enjoys meeting officers from other states and has a collection of LETR t-shirts from all over the United States.

“Merle is a motivation and an inspiration,” Tony Zblewski, his mentor, says. “He is always such a strong supporter of both the Torch Run and the other athletes.”

Cooney has been involved with Special Olympics Wisconsin as an athlete for 22 years. He participates in basketball, power lifting, softball, bowling and track and field. Cooney has also worked at Speedee Delivery in Stevens Point for the past four years.

2009 Truck Convoy committee

Blue and red squad car lights bounced off the polished chrome of the 137 trucks that cruised at 30 m.p.h. up the highway from Richfield to Oshkosh on Saturday, September 26, 2009. Truck horns echoed under bridges lined with athletes waving banners and cheering on the Special Olympics 5th Annual World’s Largest Truck Convoy presented by Quad/Graphics.

“It brings a tear to your eye,” said John Drake, Convoy Committee member and Fleet Manager for Duplainville Transport which is part of Quad/Graphics' Transportation Services Division. “Just an awesome sight to see…knowing how much [the athletes] appreciate what we are doing.”

The national, one-day celebration organized by truckers, law enforcement officials, and Special Olympics’ allied partners raised $98,000 this year and according to Drake, is “by far the best Convoy that we’ve done.”

Chris Tielens, Director of Recruiting for WEL Companies, the Platinum Partner of the Convoy, has been on the planning committee for the past four years. Tielens, whose sister participated in Special Olympics events, said what motivates him and other WEL Company employees to support the Convoy is, “seeing how happy [the athletes] are to have the support, both monetary and from the people”.

Truckers, supporters, and law enforcement officials witnessed the magnitude of which people support Special Olympics athletes during the afternoon ceremony’s live auction when an individual bid $1,000 for a banner autographed by the athletes. 

“Everyone made [Jennifer] feel so special!” said Jane Orth, mother of 2009 Convoy Marshal Jennifer Orth and Quad/Graphics employee. “I was so proud of [Jennifer] and very overcome by emotion the entire day.”

Thank you to Wisconsin’s World’s Largest Truck Convoy® planning committee, who meets four times a year to put this event together in addition to countless hours promoting the event year-round.  Since Wisconsin’s Convoy began in 2005, a total of 577 trucks have raised an amazing $366,149 for the 10,000 athletes who compete in Special Olympics Wisconsin.

The 2010 World’s Largest Truck Convoy® is scheduled for Saturday, September 18, 2010.  More information

Cops Gone Wild
Oshkosh, September 2009

On Saturday, September 12th, law enforcement officers from the Fox Valley Area put a new spin on “serving” their community as they set aside their handcuffs and badges and pulled out the menus and serving trays as servers at the Oshkosh Buffalo Wild Wings for a new event called Cops Gone Wild.

Over the course of the lunch and supper hours a group of officers from Oshkosh Police Department, Neenah Police Department, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department, Combined Locks Police Department, the Town of Osceola, Town of Menasha Police Department and Winneconne Police Department volunteered as guest servers along side the Buffalo Wild Wings wait staff to raise tips for Special Olympics. In addition to the tips raised, Buffalo Wild Wings generously donated 10% of all food sales raising a total of $3,650.00 for Special Olympics-Fox Valley Area.

“The passion local law enforcement has for Special Olympics is incredible,” said Nicci Sprangers, Regional Director of Development for Special Olympics Wisconsin. “Each year the officers do more and more amazing things that create awareness for our program here in the Fox Valley. This event at Buffalo Wild Wings is such a great way for the community to see the level of commitment the officers have to Special Olympics and see the fun they have doing it!”

Organized by Sgt. Brian Schuldes of the Oshkosh Police Department, the event was structured similar to Cops N Lobsters, an event that Sgt. Schuldes has been involved in for several years. Sgt. Schuldes put a different spin on this event and created a very interactive family event in which kids were able to tour a variety of law enforcement vehicles, meet McGruff the Crime Dog, receive free goodie bags, get their faces painted, etc.  Buffalo Wild Wings did a tremendous job promoting the event in the community and were fantastic to work with. Buffalo Wild Wings first partnered with Special Olympics Fox Valley Area in February of 2009 as the Oshkosh Polar Plunge’s “Too Chicken to Plunge” sponsor and from that point forward has gone above and beyond to support our organization.

Officer Andy Dewitt
Wisconsin Rapids Police

Wisconsin Rapids Police Officer Andy Dewitt has been a tireless supporter of the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for more than ten years. Officer Dewitt joined the State Law Enforcement Torch Run Committee in 2002 and he currently serves as the Chair of the Recruiting Committee with the main goal of encouraging new officers to get involved.

Officer Dewitt also serves on his local Polar Plunge Committee in Wisconsin Rapids. According to Stevens Point Police Officer Tony Zblewski, “his contagious enthusiasm is very apparent when he is interacting with officers and athletes and especially evident when he participates in Partners Park at the State Summer Games each year in June.”

Officer Dewitt never seeks the spotlight and always focuses on the athletes and their needs. Officer Dewitt is truly an asset to everyone he works with and is an inspiration to us all. Thank you Andy!

Officer Richard Dressler
Grant County Sheriffs Department

For the past 12 years, Officer Richard Dressler has worked as a jailor at the Grant County Sheriff’s Department. Dressler is a great supporter of Special Olympics Wisconsin, participating in the organizations events and promoting its mission to his friends, family, and coworkers.

According to his wife, Marilynn Dressler, Richard has successfully canvassed Grant County to raise more than $5,000 each year. “I now canvas from February to April to raise funds,” Dressler said. “I thought I was rusty at first, but now it has become a way of life for me.”

In addition to his fundraising efforts for Special Olympics Wisconsin (raising more than $43,000 since 1998), Dressler pledges to ride his bicycle to the Opening Ceremonies in Stevens Point each year. He participates in two legs, from his home in Potosi to Madison and from the Capitol to Stevens Point. “He’s very self motivated and likes to set challenges for himself,” his wife Marilynn said. “Every year he says it’s his last year but then the next season comes along and he sets a new goal for himself and he always tries to keep it.”

Dressler’s motivation comes from the Special Olympics athletes at the Games, “I have a lot of memories of bad weather on the rides, but the job is worth it when I see the athletes.” Dressler said. “It’s been cold and windy and raining, but we ride every single mile. The Special Olympics athletes inspire everybody.” 

“Officer Dressler is an absolutely essential part of the fundraising efforts in Southwest Wisconsin.  He goes door to door collecting donations from hundreds of businesses, not only raising money, but spreading the message of Special Olympics Wisconsin and the Torch Run,” said John Weichelt, Regional Director of Development for Special Olympics South Central Area.  “He raises more money all by himself than all officers in Grant, Iowa, and Lafayette Counties combined.”

Thank you to Officer Dressler for being a fan of the 10,000 Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes!

Officer Jeff Smith
West Allis Police Department

For nearly 21 years, Jeff Smith has been an outstanding police officer in the West Allis area. And for just as long, he’s stood beside Special Olympics Wisconsin. When Smith first began his career in West Allis, he knew nothing about the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR), but quickly heard about it through coworkers at the Summer Games Softball Throw which is hosted by law enforcement volunteers.

According to Smith, the Torch Run is the “greatest thing there is.” He loves the excitement and the joy it brings to the athletes, saying “there is no feeling like when the athletes come running out and treat you like a rock star, all because of your uniform.” In two words, he describes the event as a: total blast.

One of Smith’s favorite moments over the years – and there are a lot of them – occurred when he handed out awards for the first time. “Seeing the athletes so proud of themselves and each other was so cool,” he says.

In all 21 years, Smith has only missed one Torch Run for his daughter’s high school graduation. In addition, he also serves on local and state committees, and is in charge of the Polar Plunge in Muskego. “Jeff has been extremely instrumental in the success of the Muskego and Bradford Beach Plunges,” Breitzman says.

Thank you, Jeff for your continued dedication to the LETR and Special Olympics Wisconsin!

Warden Brad Hompe
Stanley Correctional Institution

Brad Hompe, Warden of Stanley Correctional Institution in Stanley, WI, has just finished his first year of volunteering for Special Olympics (SO) and the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR).  What an impression he has made.  From his very first meeting with Indianhead Area Regional Development Director Andrea Sullivan, Warden Hompe was clear that he was serious about being involved with SO and LETR. And he has been as good as his word. 

To begin with, he organized a basketball game between inmates and guards to raise money for the LETR then rallied his troops to help pump gas not only at Eau Claire’s Filling the Dream, but later in Stanley as well.  As a fundraiser, Stanley Correctional sold a ton of LETR shirts.  As if that was not enough, he recruited over 25 DOC personnel to bike from Stanley to Chippewa Falls in the Torch Run.  On the way to Chippewa, the group met up with the DOC from Chippewa Correctional who started biking at Bloomer.  You could not believe the sight as over 50 DOC biked down Chippewa Falls’ main street led by Chippewa Police Department and the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department with Warden Hompe at the head of the pack. 

Warden Hompe gave out awards at Indianhead’s track and field meet in May.  He told Sullivan that someone from DOC had spoken to the wardens at a retreat earlier in the year about being involved in Special Olympics.  Hompe was so moved by the presentation that he had to see for himself what this was all about.  “It was all and more than what I was told,” said Hompe. 

Officer Jamie Zynda
Ashwaubenon Department of Public Safety

Officer Jamie Zynda has been with Ashwaubenon Department of Public Safety since 2004. He began his career in law enforcement with the Wisconsin State Patrol. While there, his training officer asked him to participate in the Final Leg - Officer Zynda has been involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) ever since.

This Stevens Point area native has not only run the Final Leg, but has also volunteered for Tip-A-Cop events, served as the lead bike in the Etter Markins Memorial Ride and has accepted the Rooftop Challenge two years in a row (2007 and 2008 - 36 continuous hours on the roof, in December, each year!).

In 2008, Officer Zynda attended his first International LETR Conference in Dallas. "It was very motivational to see how our 'small' local events have such a 'big' impact, not only here in Northeastern Wisconsin, but also internationally."

The camaraderie of the Special Olympics family is what has kept him involved for so many years. "I enjoy the chance to make new friends at each event I go to. These are venues where people are happy to see cops and the athletes’ abilities are celebrated. My fellow officers and the athletes become part of my extended family. I feel that helping Special Olympics is more fun than it is work - I plan on staying active for some time."

Thank you Officer Zynda for your continued dedication to the LETR and the athletes who participate in Special Olympics Wisconsin!

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen
Wisconsin Department of Justice

Attorney General Van Hollen started his career as an Assistant State Public Defender in 1990. He then became an Assistant United States Attorney, the Ashland County District Attorney, the Bayfield County District Attorney, the United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin and currently serves as Wisconsin’s Attorney General.

It was after he became Attorney General that he started volunteering with Special Olympics. Attorney General Van Hollen had wanted to be involved in Special Olympics for years, and it was the involvement of his office that finally got him started. He first participated in the Final Leg for the Law Enforcement Torch Run® in Madison and also helped with the softball throw.

“I like the great feeling these athletes seem to get from participating and the great thrill they provide me by just being there.  They help me to better appreciate the simpler things in life and how so few of us have any reason to be negative.”

Attorney General Van Hollen serves as the Honorary Chair of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Wisconsin.

Sergeant Steve Janus
Wisconsin Department of Corrections

Sergeant Steve Janus, Department of Corrections, will represent Wisconsin at the 2009 Final Leg for the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Idaho. Steve has been with the Department of Corrections for almost 13 years and is currently the second shift M.C.S. Sergeant at Racine Youthful Offenders Correctional Facility.  He has been involved with the Torch Run for a year and a half and has been involved with SOWI regional games in Racine, the State Summer Games, Cousins subs sales through the Department of Corrections, and Ride with the Flame event. He first got started as a volunteer at the 2007 regional games in Racine. Steve had an opportunity to present ribbons and medals to athletes and says he, “…started to present the awards and hang ribbons on athletes. That was when I became hooked.” He has a wife, Cheryl, and two daughters, Samantha and Kasey. In his spare time he enjoys competitive shooting sports, snowmobiling, fishing, camping, riding motorcycles and taking his daughters on nature walks.

The 2009 Final Leg will begin in northern Idaho and cover scores of cities, towns and communities, to include all of the Host Town Program communities, on the way to the Opening Ceremonies at the Idaho Center in Nampa, Idaho on February 7, 2009. Congratulations, Steve, and thank you for representing the great state of Wisconsin!

Officer Stu Zuehls
Neenah Police Department

Officer Stu Zuehls has been involved in the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for more than ten years. Stu’s involvement began as a Final Leg runner and has progressed to being a key member of the Fox Valley Area 4 Torch Run committee and active volunteer at all of their events.  Most recently Officer Zuehls devoted two full days spending time behind bars and acting as emcee for their Lock Up a Cop event which took place at the Neenah Wal-Mart raising more than $11,500.00. 

This year Lock Up a Cop offered a Halloween theme in which children could Trick-or-Treat from squad car to squad car in a designated area of the Wal-Mart parking lot. Officer Zuehls helped to promote the event to the Neenah school district and throughout the community and as a result over 500 kids took part in the event.  Officer Zuehls has been an active member of the Fox Valley Area Polar Plunge since they hosted their first one in 2001 and remains involved as well as participating as a guest waiter at Cops N Lobsters each year.

Stu has done a great deal of work reaching out to the officers in his department and sharing his passion for Special Olympics. The enthusiasm of the Neenah officers has resulted in the Neenah Police Benevolent Association joining Special Olympics as a Law Enforcement Torch Run sponsor. 

"Stu never ceases to amaze me with the amount of time and enthusiasm he gives to our program. He has such great ideas and is always ready to step up and volunteer to make things happen,” said Nicci Sprangers, Regional Director of Development, Special Olympics Fox Valley Area.

Officer Kurt Wege
Town of Madison Police Department

Officer Kurt Wege has been with the Town of Madison Police Department for 2 ½ years.  He started volunteering with Special Olympics Wisconsin in June of 2007 after one of his former fellow officers invited him to the State Summer Games.  Officer Wege had no previous experience with Special Olympics and wanted to see what it was all about. After attending the Summer Games he decided he wanted to be involved and volunteer as well.

Officer Wege’s involvement began by attending the State Torch Run Committee meeting in Madison and then volunteering at the Summer Games in 2007 and 2008. He served as a chaperone, assisting athletes through competitions and leading them to the awards tent. He also serves as a committee member for the Polar Plunge in Madison and helps with the preparation of the event by constructing portable banner stands and helping fix mechanical problems.

The atmosphere of Special Olympics is Officer Wege’s favorite aspect of volunteering.

“Everyone at Special Olympic events is happy to have us officers there. They get excited when they see us and want us around. It is a completely different atmosphere than the one we are usually in as police officers. It is very positive, never negative.”

Special Olympics Wisconsin welcomes Officer Wege to the family of law enforcement volunteers.  Thank you!

Detective Trina James
Stevens Point Police Department

Detective Trina James has worked for the Stevens Point Police Department for over nine years. She started volunteering with Special Olympics after witnessing the popularity of the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Summer Games her first year as an officer.

As a volunteer, Trina has run and biked in the Final Leg for more than eight years and has jumped in the Polar Plunge for six years. She continues to volunteer because she believes in the mission of Special Olympics and wants to show her support.  Trina said her favorite part of volunteering with Special Olympics is interacting with the athletes.

“I love the reaction on the athlete’s faces when they see me in uniform,” Trina said. “They have so much excitement for law enforcement and for the Games.”
We would like to thank Trina for all of her enthusiasm and dedication to Special Olympics. Your efforts truly make a difference for our athletes and their families!

Superintendent David Collins
Wisconsin State Patrol

Superintendent David Collins has been participating in the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg since the early 1990s. The long-time biker and runner assists with the opening ceremonies of the Final Leg in Madison before riding his bike to Portage. Collins said he started volunteering with Special Olympics Wisconsin because of the long-standing relationship between law enforcement and the program.

“There is a great partnership between Special Olympics and law enforcement,” Collins said. “There has always been a connection. Once you meet the athletes, they touch your heart.”

Collins’ commitment and enthusiasm for Special Olympics has helped make the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg a success year after year. He is able to recruit countless officers to ride their bikes or run and show their support for Special Olympics.

In addition to the Law Enforcement Torch Run, Collins and his staff participate in the World’s Largest Truck Convoy and the Polar Plunge. Collins has volunteered as a Polar Plunge judge for five years, but has never taken the leap into the icy lake. According to Collins, this is not because of the frigid waters, but rather because he says, “Trust me you don’t want to see me in a swimsuit, but I do hold up a score card very well.”

“Superintendent Collins’ support is unending.  He attends many Special Olympics events and was instrumental in starting the World’s Largest Truck Convoy in Wisconsin which has raised nearly $170,000 for the athletes since it started in 2005,” said Julie Buedding, Director of Development, Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Wisconsin. 
“He continually promotes Special Olympics every chance he gets and is one of our athletes’ biggest fans!”

Collins’ favorite part of volunteering with Special Olympics is attending the Opening Ceremonies at the State Summer Games in Stevens Point. Like so many others, after seeing the ceremony for the first time, Collins was hooked.

“When you see the athletes from across the state and the officers standing on stage, it’s overwhelming,” Collins says. “The athletes are totally appreciative of what you do.”

Collins would like to thank his staff for dedicating their time and efforts to Special Olympics. He added that a huge part of Special Olympics Wisconsin’s success is the result of the programs devoted and professional staff.

“Special Olympics is an amazing organization. It is so important for the community to support these athletes and help them live rich and fulfilled lives,” Collins says.

Please join us in thanking Superintendant Collins for his continuous support and unending devotion to the 10,000 athletes who participate in Special Olympics Wisconsin!

Officer Laura Hoffman
Pleasant Prairie Police Department

Officer Laura Hoffman has been involved with Special Olympics and the Area 7 Polar Plunge committee for eight years. She has been instrumental in implementing the logistical aspects of the Plunge from setting up bleachers to clearing snow and ensuring the hole is cut for the jump.

“I don’t have the nerve to jump, so my way to help is to volunteer my time,” Hoffman says.

Kenosha County Sherriff’s Deputy Ray Merlin recruited Hoffman to join Special Olympics in 2000 and she has continued to volunteer ever since. She said she loves working with everyone at the event and watching the participants jump into the bitterly cold waters of Lake Andrea in Pleasant Prairie, Wis.

Hoffman has been instrumental in maintaining a secure and safe environment for the Plungers and spectators who participate in the event. The relationships that Hoffman has developed within the Village of Pleasant Prairie have been key to the local support that her area has received and the success of the Plunge.

“She is a joy to work with, and we are glad to have her on board,” Dave Polacek, regional director of development, says.

In addition to helping with the Polar Plunge, Hoffman volunteers at the Law Enforcement Torch Run directing traffic and helping keep the runners and bikers safe. She said she continues to be a part of Special Olympics because it is fun and supports an important cause.

“Special Olympics has been great. I love helping and I am so glad I got involved,” Hoffman says.

Warden Pamela Wallace
Wisconsin Department of Corrections

Warden Pamela Wallace has been involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) in Area 3 since she became part of the administrative staff at Stanley Correctional Institution.

Now at the Chippewa Valley Correctional Treatment Facility (CVCTF) in Chippewa Falls, Warden Wallace has maintained her support of the LETR's mission, encouraging civilian & security staff alike to participate in the local Final Leg held each year in June.

She has also organized a golf outing that takes place in Cadott, raising nearly $2,500 annually with the proceeds benefitting Special Olympics athletes in the Indianhead Area. Warden Wallace also supports staff to organize funds & awareness raising events such as bake sales & brat fries to name a few.

 Congratulations Warden Wallace on being recognized for your efforts. Our athletes appreciate your involvement!

Annabelle Odberg
Inspector, Wisconsin State Patrol

Inspector Annabelle Odberg has been a member of the Indianhead Area Torch Run committee for the last ten years. Thanks to Annabelle and her powers of persuasion, they have a very good turn out for the Northern leg of their Torch Run. Ten years ago Annabelle organized that leg and has continued to make it grow each year. She and her committee are great at getting participants from police departments around Superior and as far down as Rice Lake to participate. This dedicated group also sells a ton of LETR shirts. In fact, many gas stations in the Superior area display shirts where customers can see and purchase them.

The Superior group loves to bike and will start in Superior ending in Weston, 47 miles away. Though Annabelle may follow them in her squad, she will also take a turn at biking with them as well.

Thanks to her dedication to the Torch Run, several other State Patrol members have been very willing to make arrangements in their communities for Torch Runs. Somehow Annabelle is able to juggle who is doing what, where, and when on the day of the Northern Torch Run.

Annabelle has the distinction of following two bikers from Superior to Stevens Point several years in a row. Not many of us would be willing to drive a squad at 25 mph for two days, but Annabelle is!

On behalf of the 10,000 athletes involved in Special Olympics Wisconsin, thank you for your continued and tireless efforts!

Sergeant Horace Staples
Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department

Sergeant Horace Staples of the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department has been involved with Special Olympics and the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) for 12 years. Kenosha County Sheriff’s Deputy Ray Merlin took Staples to his first event in 1996 and Staples has been “hooked” on Special Olympics ever since.

Staples’s first event was handing out awards at a track and field meet. He is now a regular at Special Olympics basketball and athletics events in the Racine area, enthusiastically cheering on athletes and supporting their efforts. After a few years of involvement, Staples joined the Area 7 Polar Plunge and LETR Committees and became a state committee member of the LETR in 2004. He has also participated in the Rescue Relay and the Rooftop Sit. He says his experience with Special Olympics and the LETR has been rewarding.

“The athletes are some of the few people that actually like cops,” Staples says. “They like us without reservations and only want us to support them and hug them after they finish a race. If we treated each other like the athletes treat everyone, the world wouldn’t need cops.”

Staples also has a personal connection to Special Olympics. His 16-year-old niece has Down syndrome and competes in Special Olympics events in Chicago. She participates in the softball throw and athletics events.

“There is always a certain tie for volunteers,” Staples says. “They go to an opening ceremony or an event and get hooked, or they have a connection to someone who is cognitively disabled. Special Olympics is an organization that does what they say they’ll do with the money and support.”

Sergeant Mark Horstmann
City of Verona Police Department

Sergeant Mark Horstmann has been in law enforcement for over 14 years. He first worked as a deputy for the Dane County Sheriff’s Office for more than ten years, and then as a police officer for the Town of Madison Police Department for three years. He currently works for the Verona Police Department where he was hired as a sergeant in June 2007.

Horstmann became involved with Special Olympics while working for the Dane County Sheriff’s Office. He has participated in several Final Legs, attended track meets in Oregon, and helped with the softball throw events at the Summer Games. He joined the Law Enforcement Torch Run State Committee at the end of 2006 and since then has been assigned to the Incentives and T-shirt sub-committee. He also joined the Area 6 Polar Plunge Committee in 2006 and has enthusiastically helped plan the last two Polar Plunge events in Madison.

In 2007, he was fortunate enough to attend the International LETR Conference in Oklahoma City where he gained a better understanding of the impact law enforcement officers have made on Special Olympics athletes and their families.

“Being involved with Special Olympics is very important to me and I only wish I had become actively involved much sooner,” Horstmann says. “Every time I see the looks on the faces of athletes when they interact with police officers, I know exactly why I got involved and why I stay involved.”

We would like to thank Mark for all of his enthusiasm and dedication to Special Olympics. Your efforts truly make a difference for our athletes and their families!

Sergeant Jan Taylor
Portage County Sheriff’s Department

Sergeant Jan Taylor, Portage County Sheriff’s Department, has been involved in Special Olympics for the past eight years and is one of the most active members from her agency. From participating in numerous Polar Plunges to running the softball throw event at the State Summer Games with several other officers, she has volunteered her time in many different ways. She leads by example by helping to coordinate her agency’s participation in the Final Leg event, successfully recruiting other officers and staff to join the Run.

Jan has also served as a member of the LETR state committee since 2000 and is currently co-chair of the Activities Sub-Committee, planning events in Stevens Point for Torch Runners and assisting with the Opening Ceremony for the Summer Games. Over the years Jan has sold hundreds of souvenir t-shirts and has played a crucial role in setting up fund raising raffles for the Torch Run celebration in Stevens Point and at the WPPA convention.

Jan is a tireless supporter of Special Olympics athletes and the Torch Run, yet she doesn’t seek the applause of limelight. Thank you, Jan, for your continued support and for helping to create a world without barriers, love without boundaries and respect without requirements for the 10,000 athletes who compete in Special Olympics Wisconsin events! We couldn’t do it without you!

Scott Sterland
MATC Madison

Scott Sterland has been in law enforcement for 20 years. He has spent most of his career with the King County Sheriff’s Office in Seattle, Washington until moving to Wisconsin three years ago to accept the position of Chief of Police for the Mount Horeb Police Department and most recently took a new position as the Associate Dean of Human and Protective Services at MATC - Madison where he plans on continuing his work with Special Olympics.

Sterland has been involved in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for about six years, both in Washington and Wisconsin. He has run and biked in the Final Leg Torch Run, plunged in the icy waters of Lake Monona, stood on the roof of Wal-Mart in the bitter cold, and conducted shooting competitions all to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics. Sterland has also been a part of several radio and television spots for Special Olympics, and has attended two International Torch Run Conferences in Minneapolis and Buffalo, New York. He currently serves on the LETR Committee and has been assigned to the recruitment committee.

“Special Olympics is close to my heart,” Sterland says. “It’s different than most charitable organizations in that it doesn’t operate as a ‘hand out’. Special Olympics is about helping everyone achieve their God-given potential. All the athletes want is the ability to prove what they’re capable of, and I want to do everything I can to see that it happens.”

We would like to thank Scott for his years of dedication and commitment to our athletes, and we wish him the best of luck with his new position!

Chief Kurt Heuer
Wisconsin Rapids Police Department

Chief Kurt Heuer (formerly Wood County Sheriff) is in his third year as Chief of Police for the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department. He has demonstrated his commitment and dedication to Special Olympics and the athletes by years of personal involvement in several Torch Run events, including but not limited to, the Polar Plunge and Final Leg.

Heuer has had the honor of being a Standard Bearer and Final Leg Runner at the State Summer Games, held annually, in Stevens Point. Chief Heuer and several of his officers, as well as neighboring officers, created a local Torch Run Committee under his leadership. This committee is credited with organizing a Polar Plunge at Rusty's Backwater Saloon grossing nearly $30,000 each year since 2005 for a grand total of $84,150 raised!

Two of his officers are members of the Law Enforcement Torch Run State Committee. His personal achievements are impressive and too long to list here. Most important-he leads by example!

Officer Mike Reime
Racine Police Department

Mike Riemer has been involved with Special Olympics for over four years and is now seen as a key member of the Area 7 Games Management Committee. He is a dedicated volunteer, offering his free time to help with the majority of sporting competitions and fundraising events.

Riemer has served on the planning committees for Polar Plunge and other past fund raising events, such as the Landmark Title Golf Classic and Rooftop Challenges, since he became a Special Olympics volunteer in 2003.  He has recently become more involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

For Riemer, being involved with Special Olympics has been a very rewarding experience. He likes getting to know the athletes and meeting other volunteers who enjoy the events as much as he does. “Over the last several years, Special Olympics has become a very important part of my life,” said Riemer. “I truly cannot see an end to my involvement any time in the future.”

Julie Buedding
Director of Development, Law Enforcement Torch Run Special Olympics Wisconsin

Julie began her career at Special Olympics in 1989 and has been involved in the Law Enforcement Torch Run since 1995.  In 2005, Julie was the first non-law enforcement inductee in the Wisconsin LETR Dale Brunner Hall of Fame. 

She is honored to have been on the 20th and 25th Anniversary Committees for the International LETR and her most proud accomplishment is co-editing the 25th Anniversary LETR Commemorative Book, which was unveiled at last year’s International Conference in Buffalo, New York. 

Julie’s favorite Torch Run memory is having the honor of serving as a Support Team member on the 2006 LETR Final Leg for the first-ever National Games held in Iowa.

  “I will never forget the 12 days I spent participating in the Final Leg and am grateful to have been included in this incredible journey that honors the dedication of law enforcement and the spirit of Special Olympics athletes.  As the days went on and everyone got little rest so that we could complete our mission, it was the athletes who continued to inspire us as they do each and every day,” she said.

This fall, Julie will be playing a support role for the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games to be held in Shanghai, China.

Deputy Jerry Frank
Vernon County Sheriffs Department

Jerry has been a participant in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for eight years and joined the State LETR Committee in 2004.  He spends countless hours raising money for Special Olympics by selling t-shirts and raising pledges for the Polar Plunge.  He coordinates a portion of the Final Leg each year, recruits participants and participates in the kick-off in La Crosse.

Jerry has raised nearly $12,000 for the athletes of Special Olympics since 1999 and truly believes in the mission of the LETR and doing what he can to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics. 

Because of Jerry’s dedication and commitment to Special Olympics, he will be presented with the Special Olympics Wisconsin Law Enforcement Torch Run Volunteer of the Year Award at the Wisconsin Professional Police Association banquet on Sunday evening, May 20th.

Congratulations Jerry and thank you for keeping the Flame of Hope burning for the 10,000 athletes who compete in Special Olympics Wisconsin!

Deputy Chief Brad Venaas
Eau Claire Police Department

Brad has been a participant in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for at least 15 years if not longer.  He began as a patrol officer and has continued every year.  Perhaps the most touching moment in the LETR ever witnessed was Brad walking ten miles on crutches.  He had been injured in the line of duty and almost lost his life.  As he recovered, he kept trying to get others to participate in Torch Run activities.  So it seemed natural to him to walk those 10 miles.  Words can’t describe how inspiring that was to all of the participants.

Brad is an active member of the Indianhead Area 3 LETR committee.  He’s stood on the roof at Shopko, takes the Polar Plunge, pumps gas at our Filling the Dreams event, and is always willing to recruit others to help. This year he took it upon himself to recruit officers and police cars for our Filling the Dreams event.  In the process, he has recruited two new departments to help us.

Brad is just a wonderful example of commitment to the cause of Special Olympics. 

Charles A. Tubbs
Administrator, Department of Corrections, Division of Juvenile Corrections

Charles A. Tubbs has more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement and has a proven commitment to public service. His involvement with the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics began early in his career when he worked at the Beloit Police Department.  He has volunteered his time to various professional, educational and community organizations and has helped Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) employees find volunteering and fundraising opportunities with Special Olympics Wisconsin. He will join the Board of Director’s for Special Olympics Wisconsin in April.

An instrumental player in connecting the DOC to Special Olympics, Tubbs says that he is committed to the organization and its mission because he feels that “our greatest resource is meeting the needs of people with cognitive disabilities.”

Tubbs currently works as Administrator of the Division of Juvenile Corrections for DOC, a position he was appointed to by Governor Jim Doyle and Secretary Matt Frank. He has filled a variety of other roles for Wisconsin law enforcement, and won awards ranging from an Outstanding Service Award from President Bush to the Distinguished Officer of the Year Award from the National United Law Enforcement Officers Association.

A big thank you goes to Charles Tubbs for helping Special Olympics Wisconsin change the lives of over 10,000 athletes with cognitive disabilities statewide. This work is invaluable to our community!

Deputy Dale Brunner, Washington County Sheriff’s Department

Dale Brunner served as Wisconsin’s first Law Enforcement Torch Run Director from 1986 – 1999, helping to pave the way for an established and successful Torch Run program. Dale was also a Torch Run Regional Coordinator for four years, overseeing seven states. 

In 1992, he was inducted into the Richard LaMunyon Law Enforcement Torch Run Hall of Fame, an international award recognizing volunteers who have demonstrated a significant contribution to the Torch Run and Special Olympics.  He was one of the first people to ever receive this honor and is currently 1 of 60 in the Hall of Fame.

In 1999, Wisconsin created the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Torch Run Dale Brunner Hall of Fame Award to honor those individuals who have significantly contributed to the statewide success of the Torch Run in its support of the mission of Special Olympics.

Dale has continued his involvement with Wisconsin’s LETR through his participation in the Final Leg and Summer Games as well as serving on the Selections Sub-Committee of the state LETR Committee.

Dale was instrumental in starting Wisconsin’s Law Enforcement Torch Run and we want to thank him for his many years of dedication and commitment to the athletes of Special Olympics Wisconsin!

Captain Mark Moen, Onalaska Police Department

Captain Moan has been instrumental in raising awareness and funds for Special Olympics Wisconsin. He has served on the Polar Plunge Committee for the past nine years and has taken on the role as the Committee Chair for the 2007 Coulee Region Plunge.

Not only has Captain Moan played an important role in the Polar Plunge, he has participated in other Law Enforcement Torch Run events benefiting Special Olympics. He has also served as an escort in the Final Leg and he has attended International Law Enforcement Torch Run Conferences. He also implemented the first building sit to take place in Wisconsin to benefit Special Olympics and has whole-heartedly participated in that event for the past 6 years.

More importantly, he has shared his passion for Special Olympics and the Torch Run with other officers within the Onalaska Police Department. His involvement with the local program earned him the Volunteer of the Year Award at the Special Olympics Wisconsin - La Crosse Area Awards & Recognition Banquet in 2005. The Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to a volunteer who goes above and beyond to inspire the athletes.

Captain Moan can be seen at Powerlifting practices helping out and providing encouragement as well as driving the team to their competitions. He can be seen at Mount La Crosse all winter as he coaches the Downhill Ski Team. The dedication he has shown to the program is amazing! More importantly, every athlete that knows Captain Moan is proud to call him their friend!

Detective Patrick Piper, Mt. Horeb Police Dept.

Detective Piper has been involved in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for over four years. He has been involved in the Polar Plunge, the Torch Run as a runner and bicyclist and has volunteered his time to the Mount Horeb Special Olympics Agency assisting in special events, parades and the annual Sportsman Shooting Competition.

Patrick was also a member of the Wisconsin delegation to the International LETR conference in Minneapolis in 2005 and is a member of the area 6 Polar Plunge Committee. Patrick realizes what needs to be done for a charitable event to be successful and is never afraid to jump in and lend a helping hand.

Patrick is an invaluable member of the Mount Horeb Police Department and to Special Olympics - Wisconsin, Area 6.

World’s Largest Truck Convoy Law Enforcement Working Together

This month we’d like to feature all the law enforcement officers who came together to make the Second Annual World’s Largest Truck Convoy for Special Olympics Wisconsin a huge success!  On Saturday, September 16th officers representing 12 law enforcement agencies from across the state joined together to ensure the event’s safety by escorting the 93 trucks from the Pioneer Plaza Truck Stop to the EAA Grounds in Oshkosh.  This event raised more than $40,500 for the 10,000 athletes of Special Olympics Wisconsin! 

The Wisconsin State Patrol serves as the lead law enforcement agency for this event with the support of Superintendent David Collins.  The Convoy, which travels 56 miles along Highway 41 from Richfield to Oshkosh, has supporters along the route holding up signs and cheering on the drivers.  A school bus full of Special Olympics athletes rode in the Convoy and an excited passenger said, “Everyone is looking at us…it’s like we’re celebrities!”

Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes greeted and thanked the drivers as they arrived in Oshkosh at the EAA Grounds where a program was held and awards were presented in various categories including Best Horn and Best of Show Truck as chosen by SOWI athletes.

From athletes to truckers to our great law enforcement officers in Wisconsin, the 2006 Convoy proved to be an inspiring and rewarding experience.  Come out and join us next year on Saturday, September 15, 2007!

Peggy Frank, LETR Regional Director

Peggy Frank, though not a law enforcement officer, has been instrumental in making the Indianhead Area Special Olympics Torch Run a success over the years. Peggy attends every Torch Run activity, is always willing to help, and founded Area 3's Fire Truck Pull which will take place on October 8th. Her extensive networking with other Torch Run volunteers spans the world.

"Being involved has influenced my life so much.  The connections to the athletes and the friendships I've made are very heartwarming," says Frank.

Peggy serves on the statewide Law Enforcement Torch Run® committee and is a tireless worker. Thank you Peggy!

Officer Matt Harper, Hortonville Police Department

Officer Matt Harper has been making a huge impact in the lives of the Fox Valley Area Special Olympics athletes over the past several years. Matt most recently organized a fundraising event called Bowl for Champions, which paired up teams of law enforcement with athletes for an afternoon of bowling. The event took place on August 12th and raised nearly $2,500.

Matt has also played a huge role in many of the other LETR events in Area 4, including taking the Plunge, participating in the Final Leg, sitting on the Shopko rooftop, serving lobster at Cops 'n Lobsters and helping to secure a brand new event sponsor. In 2005, Officer Harper helped to launch "Cops 'n Robins," an event that raised $1,500.

Officer Harper strives to create awareness for Special Olympics and the Law Enforcement Torch Run and has gotten his local media to cover nearly all of the 2006 events. Officer Harper is a leader in recruiting new officers to volunteer their time to make a difference. All of the full time officers in Matt's department participate in LETR events.

The Fox Valley Area thanks Officer Harper for his dedication to our athletes.

Officer Anthony Zblewski - Stevens Point Police Department

Officer Anthony Zblewski has been involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for seven years.  His involvement includes events such as Polar Plunges, rooftop challenges, selling countless numbers of t-shirts, coordinating activities in Stevens Point for the Torch Run each year, as well as serving as a mentor to Merle Cooney, Special Olympics athlete and LETR State Committee member.

Tony joined the state LETR Committee in 2001.  He serves as co-chair of the Activities Committee which plans and implements all LETR activities in Stevens Point including this year’s 20th Anniversary Parade and Picnic, law enforcement involvement in the Opening Ceremony and the Law Enforcement Celebration Party and raffle that takes place after the Opening Ceremony.

“Officer Zblewski is the driving force in enlisting officers of this department to participate in the Torch Run, in volunteering at events and in providing a presence of uniformed officers and equipment for interaction with the athletes at the Summer Games,” said Captain James Dowling of the Stevens Point Police Department.

Please join us in congratulating Officer Zblewski as he was inducted into the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Torch Run® Dale Brunner Hall of Fame on Thursday evening, June 8, 2006. 

The Hall of Fame was created to recognize outstanding individuals who have demonstrated a sustained and significant contribution to the achievement of the statewide success of the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Wisconsin.  Tony not only met those requirements, but exceeded them, making him one of 15 members of the prestigious Hall of Fame!

Officer Daryl Pries, Wisconsin Department of Corrections and Stanley Police Dept.

Officer Daryl Pries has been involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for 10 years.  His involvement ranges from Polar Plunges, softball tournaments, rooftop challenges, and the Final Leg.

Daryl joined the state LETR Committee this year and is a member of the Recruiting committee.  Daryl continues to spread the word of the Torch Run and raising awareness for Special Olympics.  He raises $5,000+ annually through t-shirt sales and other fundraising events.

Please join us in wishing Daryl luck as he represents Wisconsin in the Law Enforcement Torch Run® Final Leg for the 2006 USA Special Olympics National Games.   Daryl will be one of 110 Final Leg Team members, comprised of law enforcement runners, Special Olympics athletes and Support Team members.  The 2006 Final Leg will precede the Special Olympics U.S. National Games held in Ames, Iowa.  The Flame Lighting Ceremony is scheduled for Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois, for Saturday, June 24th.  The flame will arrive in Iowa on June 25, 2006 and travel throughout the state before reaching the Opening Ceremonies in Ames on July 2, 2006.

Good luck Daryl and thank you for your many years of support for the Special Olympics athletes!  We know you’ll make us proud!

Chief Richard LaMunyon, Wichita Police Department
Founder, International Law Enforcement Torch Run

Special Olympics Wisconsin would like to honor and recognize Retired Chief Richard LaMunyon, Wichita Police Department.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® began in 1981 when Chief LaMunyon saw an urgent need to raise funds for and increase awareness of Special Olympics. He conceived of the idea of a Torch Run as a way to involve local law enforcement personnel in the community and with Special Olympics. After three years of successful Torch Runs in Kansas, Chief LaMunyon presented the program to the International Chiefs of Police (IACP). With IACP’s enthusiastic support and leadership, as well as the involvement of all facets of the law enforcement community – sheriff’s associations, police unions, state, county, municipal, military, federal law enforcement and corrections officers – the Torch Run has expanded to all 50 United States and 35 countries.

Thank you Chief LaMunyon, for celebrating with Wisconsin’s law enforcement. What started 20 years ago as a flicker of hope for Special Olympics Wisconsin has now become a roaring flame of stability for Special Olympics across the state!

Chief Jeff Hardel, Wausau Police Dept

Chief Jeff Hardel has been involved in the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) since it’s inception in 1986.  He was instrumental in coordinating the Wausau Final Leg for many years and still participates whenever possible.  Jeff has been involved in many aspects of the Torch Run from serving on the statewide LETR committee to organizing events to serving as the Region 5 Coordinator for seven states and a member of the International LETR Council where he served as Chair of the John Carion Unsung Hero Memorial Award committee.

Jeff represented Wisconsin in the Final Leg for the Special Olympics World Summer Games in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1995 and served as a Team Leader in the 2001 Final Leg for the Special Olympics World Winter Games, in Anchorage, Alaska.  Jeff continues his involvement by serving on the Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Torch Run Committee.  The goal of this committee is to increase participation of Chiefs of Police across the state of Wisconsin in Torch Run and Special Olympics events. 

Jeff was sworn in as Chief of Police for the Wausau Police Department on Tuesday, April 25, 2006.  As Wisconsin celebrates the 20th Anniversary of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, we salute you, Chief Hardel!  We are proud of you!

Officer Mark Boerboom, Menasha Police Department

Officer Mark Boerboom has been involved in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for five years. In that time he has made a tremendous impact on the success of the Fox Valley Area 4 Torch Run events as well as the popularity of the events within the law enforcement community.

Mark is on the planning committee for the Rooftop Challenge, the Final Leg and the Polar Plunge. Mark's dedication goes above just participating in LETR events, he has been known to spend countless hours constructing a shelter to block the wind for roof sitters, driving for hours and mapping out the routes for the Final Leg, coordinating the layout and set up of the Polar Plunge and always tirelessly promoting the Torch Run to new officers throughout the Fox Valley Area. Mark received the Area 4 Officer of the Year award in 2004 and was chosen to attend the 2003 International LETR conference in San Francisco, California.

"I don't know what I would do without Mark's help on our Torch Run events. He is truly dedicated to the Torch Run and to Special Olympics. He has worked wonders with our Polar Plunge and deserves so much credit for how smoothly the whole event runs." said Nicci Sprangers, Special Olympics staff in the Fox Valley Area.

Thank you Officer Boerboom!  We are proud and honored to have you as part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Wisconsin team!

Andy Garcia, Retired Officer, City of Madison Police Department

Andy has been involved in the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) as long as most staff and volunteers can remember.  He currently serves as Deputy Director of the State LETR Committee as well as local committees including the Madison Polar Plunge and the Area 6 LETR Committee.  Andy was inducted into the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Torch Run® Dale Brunner Hall of Fame in 2003. 

Most recently Andy went all out to make the Shopko Rooftop Torch Run Challenge a success by recruiting several high profile law enforcement officers to sit on the roof.  He even made a rooftop appearance himself as Santa Claus, now that’s dedication!  Andy is committed to increasing involvement of local departments and furthering the mission of Special Olympics.

As we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the LETR in Wisconsin, it is volunteers like Andy that have made us so successful.  Thank you Andy!

Sergeant Judi Anibas, City of Eau Claire Police Department

Judi has been involved in the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for over 10 years and spent part of that time on the State LETR board. She consistently participates in the annual Final Leg of the Torch Run and coordinates the start of the Area 3 run in Eau Claire. Judi is also ALWAYS available to sit on the rooftop of Shopko, no matter what the weather is like.

Judi is a motivator of all officers in the area and also teaches at Chippewa Valley Technical College for the recruit classes and spends time talking to the recruits about community service and the Law Enforcement Torch Run. We are thrilled to have Sgt. Judi Anibas as an active and engaging member of the Area 3 LETR.

Detective Jenny LeBelle, Winnebago County Sheriff's Dept.

Detective Jenny LeBelle has been involved in the Law enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for four years. Her involvement began as a Final Leg runner and selling t-shirts.

She has continued to play a huge role in t-shirt sales, selling over $3,000.00 worth over the past two years. She is a key member of the Fox Valley Area LETR Committee and is involved in the planning of events such as the Shopko Rooftop Challenge and the Final Leg.

Jenny’s involvement doesn’t stop there.  She is also a member of the Fox Valley Area Polar Plunge committee. She also participates as a guest waiter at Cops N Lobsters each year and has most recently played a  HUGE  role in the success of the World's Largest Truck Convoy for Special Olympics Wisconsin.

Jenny attended the International LETR Conference in 2004 and represented  the Fox Valley Area again this year in Minneapolis. Upon returning from the conference last year, she put a great deal of work into reaching out to the officers in her department and sharing her passion for Special Olympics. Jenny's efforts have resulted in tripling the Torch Run participation in her department in one year! 

"Jenny never ceases to amaze me with the amount of time and enthusiasm she gives to our program. Even when she is swamped at work she is always the first to ask how she can help. Our athletes all love her and ask me at each event if Detective LeBelle is coming," said Nicci Sprangers, Special Olympics staff in the Fox Valley Area.

Thank you Jenny!  You are a very valuable member to our team!

Officer Bob Roeske, Rothschild Police Department

Officer Roeske has been involved with the Final Leg and t-shirt sales for over ten years. He and a co-worker attended the International Law Enforcement Torch Run Conference in Nashville in 2000, and brought back the idea of a semi pull. The Rothschild Police Department has hosted the event for the past five years, raising over $70,000!!!

Bob continues to participate in the Final Leg of the Torch Run, bicycling along with his wife Sue. Bob also volunteers for North Central Special Olympics Area 2's Polar Plunge and "other duties as needed" such as moving the Area 2 office!

A huge thank you to Bob for his continued support of the athletes of Special Olympics Wisconsin!

Deputy Ray Merlin, Kenosha County Sheriff's Department

Deputy Ray Merlin has been involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run for ten years. He has served on the Area and State Polar Plunge and Law Enforcement Torch Run Committees. He is the Chair of the Advisory sub-committee and continually strives to promote the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Wisconsin.

In 2003, Ray represented Wisconsin in the Final Leg of the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Ireland.

“It was a once in a lifetime experience and I was proud to represent law enforcement of Wisconsin,” said Merlin.

Ray is involved in several organizations for people with special needs.

“Special Olympics is and has been very important to me and one of my personal goals is to raise awareness of Special Olympics through the Law Enforcement Torch Run. I also feel it gives officers something positive back while helping the athletes of Special Olympics.”

Thank you Ray, for all that you do for the athletes of Special Olympics Wisconsin!

Chief Lisa Walter, UW-Stout Police Department

Chief Lisa Walter has been involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) for Special Olympics for more than eight years. She is a member of the LETR state committee and has attended several International conferences.

Walter has recruited other police departments to get involved, and has been instrumental in starting an entirely new leg of the Torch Run. She recently took on the added responsibility of race director for the Charter Communications Tin Man Triathlon competition which is one of the newest LETR events for Special Olympics Wisconsin.

Lisa promotes Special Olympics and the Torch Run wherever she has a law enforcement audience. She is the co-chair of the LETR Committee of the Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association as well as a member of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators.

Lisa was inducted into the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Torch Run® Dale Brunner Hall of Fame on Thursday evening, June 9 due to her significant contributions to the LETR for Special Olympics.

Lt. Jason Plaza, Marathon County Sheriff's Department

Lt. Jason Plaza has been involved with Special Olympics and the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) for 15 years. He is an active member of the state LETR, Polar Plunge® and CARQUEST committees and the North Central Area Management Team.

Lt. Plaza has received many awards for his involvement with the LETR and Special Olympics. In 2000, he was awarded the volunteer of the year award and received the state’s management team “Member of the Year” award.

In 2001, Jason represented Wisconsin in the Final Leg of the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Anchorage, Alaska and was also awarded the John Carion “Unsung Hero” Award at the International LETR Conference. And in 2002, Jason was inducted into the Wisconsin LETR Dale Brunner Hall of Fame.

Jason has served as the Deputy Director since 1999 of the LETR State Committee and on Thursday, June 9, 2005 was handed the torch from retiring State Director John Boyer. Please join us in welcoming Lt. Jason Plaza as the new Torch Run Director for the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Wisconsin.

Officer Greg Koentopp, North Fond du Lac Police Department

Officer Greg Koentopp has been involved with Special Olympics for 14 years and with the Law Enforcement Torch Run for two years.

He has been a referee for Special Olympics basketball tournaments, is on the Law Enforcement Torch Run state committee and has participated in the Torch Run Final Leg, Polar Plunge, and Shopko Rooftop Challenge and sells t-shirts to help raise money.Greg also recently joined the planning committee for the Worlds Largest Truck Convoy for Special Olympics which will take place on Saturday, September 24th.

"Greg's efforts have helped our community rally to support the efforts of Special Olympics and the Torch Run. He truly is an inspiration to others who are striving to promote Special Olympics," said Chief William Lamb of the North Fond du Lac Police Department.

On Sunday, May 15, Officer Greg Koentopp received the inaugural presentation of the Special Olympics Wisconsin Law Enforcement Torch Run Volunteer of the Year Award which was presented at the Wisconsin Professional Police Association Banquet by Renee Cappetto, Special Olympics Athlete. Congratulations Greg!

Former Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager, Wisconsin Department of Justice

Wisconsin Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager will serve as Honorary Chair of the 2005 Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Peg has a demonstrated commitment to working with individuals with disabilities. In high school, she became a regular volunteer with what was then called the Association for Retarded Children. Peg developed lifetime friendships through ARC. Its members, who years ago benefited from Special Olympics, have given her a keen appreciation for the opportunities made available through this empowering event.

In her role as Attorney General, Peg Lautenschlager has been active in promoting Special Olympics. Peg met our athletes, families and coaches at the airport and gave them warm words of encouragement before they departed for the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games. She has also volunteered with special events including the Polar Plunge and recruits law enforcement officers for the Torch Run.

Peg has also directed the Wisconsin Department of Justice to take an advocacy role on behalf of Wisconsin citizens with disabilities. By keeping communication flowing between DOJ and the disabilities community, the potential for greater advocacy is enhanced.

Officer Adam Wojciehowski, Somerset Police Department

Adam has been the primary organizer for the past two years for the Somerset Police Dept. He has led the way in selling t-shirts and has coordinated the Somerset portion of Indianhead's Western leg with other agencies such as St. Croix EMS & Rescue EMT's, Municipal Judge's office, and Village Works.

Somerset has sold the most t-shirts for the past two years in the Indianhead area. In addition, for the last two years Adam has coordinated the efforts of the St. Croix EMS & Rescue EMT's who are the "water guys" for their Polar Plunge.

Adam is an excellent representative of a police officer who understands and appreciates Special Olympics athletes.

Inspector Lorie Floyd, Wisconsin State Patrol

Inspector Floyd has been with the State Patrol for nearly 24 years, with 15 of them devoted to doing Law Enforcement Torch Run® work with Special Olympics Wisconsin and was instrumental in the start up of the first Crawford County Special Olympics team in her area.

Floyd has been selected to deliver the “Flame of Hope” to the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Nagano, Japan. Floyd, of Bagley, WI, will be one of 110 runners from 19 countries participating in the final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics. She will fly out on Feb. 16, then carry the torch through Japan leading up to the Games, which begin on 26 February, ending on March 5. The Journey consists of more than 7,300 miles delivering the “Flame of Hope” from Athens, Greece to the Opening Ceremonies of the Games in Nagano, Japan.

“The Torch Run and Special Olympics has been an opportunity for me to teach my children about volunteering,” said Floyd. “Each year we do the Torch Run together and my children look forward to participating with me.” Her favorite torch run memory is carrying the torch into the state final leg run in Stevens Point as well as traveling through the city of La Crosse with motorcycles, squads, horses and officers from many agencies.

She added that she continues to support Special Olympics as it gives the athletes a chance to build confidence and achieve goals. It gives them a wonderful new social life and makes their lives better physically and mentally.

“I do feel inspired by all the Special Olympics athletes. They have fun when they compete, whether they win or lose. The joy I see as they simply gain confidence to try anything makes me proud to be a part of their lives.”

The Lighting Ceremony will take place at the Atrium of Athens’ famed Zappeion Olympic Palace. The Arrival Ceremony, welcoming the Flame to Japan, will be held in Tokyo’s Metropolitan Square. The Unification Ceremony, combining the “Flame of Hope” with the “Flame of Friendship” (a similarly symbolic flame that has traveled through Japan to raise awareness of the Special Olympics movement) shall be held at Matsumoto Castle in Nagano Prefecture. A cultural landmark, the castle is located in Matsumoto City.

Daily departure and arrival ceremonies will be held for the Torch Run Final Leg participants as they visit 66 municipalities across the Nagano Prefecture. The Opening Ceremonies of the Games, to be held in Olympic Memorial Arena in Nagano City, will mark the conclusion of the Torch Run Final Leg.

Mike was a Deputy for 14 years and Sergeant for the past 6 years. He has participated for the past 6 years in many Torch Run events such as the Final Leg Run, Polar Plunge and Cops & Lobsters. Mike has started a Shawano County connection of the Torch Run Final Leg that starts in the city of Shawano and hooks up with the main Leg in Waupaca.

Mike and his wife Jody started a brat fry at the Shawano Wal-Mart which has raised over $2,000 each year they've held it. Mike has been very active in recruiting more people and law enforcement in participating in Special Olympics events. Mike, along with his wife Jody, have taken in several young children that have special needs and they are extremely caring people.

Chief Jerry Strunz, Sauk Prairie Police
Chief Strunz first started his involvement with the LETR in 2001. When the department learned that they would be running four days before the Final Leg, Chief Strunz immediately set out and raised $1000 the first day.

But as a leader he wasn't finished there. Chief Strunz also rode the first leg traveling from Sauk City to Baraboo. Anyone that travels this route knows that the Baraboo Bluffs are not for the novice rider, but, as always, Chief Strunz led the charge.

The last fours years have been no different. Chief always volunteers to take the first leg. In 2003 Chief Strunz was asked to be one of the flag bearers and assisted in presenting the flag at the Opening Ceremonies of the State Summer Games. Chief Strunz not only displays a leadership within his department but to the community as well.

Sgt. Gerry Flunker, Appleton Police Department
Gerry is no stranger to Special Olympics, being involved for more than 19 years. He began by helping to coordinate his Area’s Torch Run events and fund raisers.

In 1999 he volunteered to take over the role of Regional Director for his Area’s Torch Run which has seen enormous success. Under his direction, t-shirt sales have doubled, the Cops & Lobsters event continues to grow and most impressive, their Area’s Polar Plunge has grown to the 3rd largest in the state in 2004 by raising more than $113,000!

Gerry is an active member of the state Law Enforcement Torch Run Committee and has many great friends that are Special Olympics Athletes and was recently awarded the 2004 Dale Brunner Wisconsin Hall of Fame Award.