Police run for Special Olympics

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics began in Stark County and continued into Tuscarawas County Thursday, June 22 at Strasburg.

Strasburg police officer Kayla Willer carried the torch from El Campesino’s Restaurant on North Wooster Avenue to the Unified Bank, where Sgt. Brandon Warman exchanged the torch and continued down Wooster Avenue. Willer took the torch at the Subway Restaurant and continued to Hardee’s Restaurant, where the run ended.

This is the second year for the event, and the torch run continued to Dover, New Philadelphia and Sugarcreek, making stops along the way and ending in Dayton. Police officers from each community participated including Patrolman Sean Leffler and Patrolman Josh Roach of Dover, Captain Tessa Pohovey, Captain Paul Rossi, police officers Katelyn Brown and Jena Dugan of New Philadelphia, and police officer Jeff Stearns of Sugarcreek.

Richelle Lefler, Special Olympics coordinator, said Craig Gordon of the Tuscarawas County Rockets was selected to help carry the torch to light the Flame of Hope at the Special Olympics event held in Columbus on Friday evening. Lefler said Gordon is the first Tuscarawas County Special Olympics athlete to receive the honor.

Others participating were Strasburg police officer Connor Bailey and Lt. Colin Trout and Elaina Berry, paramedic/firefighter of the Strasburg Fire Department.