Police honored to support Special Olympics Torch Run

Members of the Sugarcreek Police Department participated in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run, which took place in front of the world’s largest cuckoo clock on the square in Sugarcreek on Thursday, June 27.

With the department doing its part to raise funds for the run, which supports Special Olympics, Brian Dalton, assistant chief of police with the Sugarcreek Police Department, said the department enjoyed being part of something this special. The SPD even had its own portal on the Special Olympics website that allowed people to log on and support Special Olympics in honor of the department.

He said they raised funds by promoting the project through the department and Sugarcreek Fire Department’s social media pages.

“It’s been a fun and worthwhile effort,” Dalton said. “We love being a part of something this important, and we are honored to be able to serve as one of the stops along the route.”

Dalton said he was contacted by Ohio LETR organizer Nathan Samples four years ago to discuss the opportunity to represent Special Olympics as a law-enforcement agency.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is the largest public awareness fundraiser for Special Olympics, where law-enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes carry the Flame of Hope into the opening SO ceremonies around the nation. One in Ohio has the torch go from Cleveland to Columbus.

Dalton said the SPD was quick to jump on board because the members recognized the importance of raising funds for SO.

However, he said this program serves another component through the department, that being the effort to connect with community.

“It’s a good way to put the humanity back into law enforcement,” Dalton said. “I think that people sometimes have some misunderstanding of those who serve in law enforcement, and this is a great way to not only raise money and awareness for Special Olympics, (but) also a way for us to put law enforcement in a genuinely positive light.”

While several national incidents have put law enforcement under great scrutiny, Dalton said the majority of peace officers take on the role to serve their respective communities, and he said the SPD is staffed by members who genuinely care about the people they serve because they are among the community members and live, work and recreate within the communities.

He said he is proud of the entire unit in Sugarcreek, and it is filled with caring members who work hard to serve and protect everyone.

Dalton also said he is grateful peace officers throughout Tuscarawas County and Holmes County are appreciated for what they do and the role they play in serving and protecting their respective communities.

He said there seems to be a genuine respect between the community and law enforcement, a feeling he and everyone else in law enforcement greatly appreciate.

“While most people view us as law enforcement, the actual title of who we are is peace officers, and that is our goal — to maintain peace and to serve our communities to keep people safe,” Dalton said. “Participating in the Law Enforcement Torch Run is one way we can connect with the community and promote that message. We are honored to serve those in our community as well as help promote the incredible work being done through Special Olympics.”

Sugarcreek saw many people with special needs stop by and take photos with the SPD members and LETR staff, and they all celebrated this moment together as one, looking forward to the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics.