2021 WInter Games

What is The Law Enforcement Torch Run®?

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Wyoming is part of the worldwide movement's largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle.

At its most basic level, officers and athletes – the Guardians of the Flame – run the Special Olympics “Flame of Hope” to the Opening Ceremonies of Special Olympics competitions. As a whole, the Torch Run encompasses a variety of year-round fundraising events such as Jackalope Jumps, Tip A Cop, LETR Merchandise Sales, Fire Truck Pulls, Strikes for SO, Truck Convoy, corporate donations, and other special events! All fundraising proceeds directly benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Wyoming. Most importantly, officers continually interact with Special Olympics athletes and are the primary medal presenters at the local, area and state competitions.

History LETR began in 1981 when Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon created the Torch Run. He thought the Torch Run would help law enforcement be active in the community and support Special Olympics Kansas. In 1983, Chief LaMunyon presented the program to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). They decided to endorse Torch Run and became the “Founding Law Enforcement Organization.” With the IACP’s support, LETR became the movement's largest public awareness and fundraising group for Special Olympics. Known as Guardians of the Flame, law enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes carry the “Flame of Hope” into Opening Ceremonies of local competitions. They also carry it into Special Olympics State, Provincial, National, Regional and World Games. There are over 97,000 law enforcement members that carry the “Flame of Hope” annually. The flame symbolizes courage and celebration of diversity uniting communities around the globe. Impact Torch Run has grown over the years and now includes many fundraising platforms. These platforms include: Plane Pulls, Polar Plunges, Tip-A-Cops, and more. Since the beginning, LETR has raised over $600 million for Special Olympics programs. As retired Chief Richard LaMunyon once said, “What started in 1981...as a flicker of hope for Special Olympics has now become a roaring flame of stability for Special Olympics athletes worldwide.” LETR is changing the future for people with intellectual disabilities. Through the LETR and Special Olympics partnership we are lighting the way for acceptance and inclusion. visit www.letr.org

LETR medal presentation

WLEA Group

News and Resources

Local Law Enforcement Officer/Special Olympics Athlete Selected to Carry the Flame of Hope as part of Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg Team for 2022 Special Olympics World Games

The flame serves as a beacon of inspiration to thousands during Law Enforcement Torch Run to Kazan, Russia. 

Special Olympics Wyoming is proud to announce that athlete Izzy Vijiila from Gillette and Law Enforcement Officer Ty Mower of Casper has been selected to serve as part of the Final Leg team, serving as a Guardians of the Flame® as they run with the Flame of Hope throughout Russia in January 2022 leading up to the start of the 2022 Special Olympics World Games in Kazan.

Final Leg runners from around the world were selected to proudly represent their local Torch Run and Special Olympics Programs. The Final Leg team will embark on different routes, running the Flame of Hope throughout cities and communities across Russia at various events, honoring the spirit of the Special Olympics global movement, and delivering a message of hope to communities where people with intellectual disabilities continue to fight for acceptance and inclusion. The Final Leg Team will safely deliver the Flame of Hope to the 2022 Special Olympics World Games Kazan Opening Ceremony on 22 January 2022.

As one of only 10 Special Olympics athletes chosen out of a pool of nearly 30 athletes who were nominated, and one of 120 members of law enforcement chosen, Wyoming’s own Vijiila AND Mower were selected to participate on the 2022 Kazan Final Leg Torch Run Team.

“We’re so pleased that Izzy and Ty will represent Wyoming during the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg for the 2022 Special Olympics World Games.  This pair exemplifies the spirit of Special Olympics and will do a fantastic job of delivering a message of hope to those with intellectual disabilities around the world,” said Jen Haines, President & CEO of Special Olympics Wyoming. The organization will be working to fundraise to support this incredible opportunity throughout this year.

Please consider donating to show your support for Izzy and Ty in the Final Leg of the World Winter Games. Click the fundraising pages for Izzy and Ty. 

Special Olympics Wyoming will be fundraising for the Blue Lake Leap, a "Polar Plunge" in Kazan as well as year-round fundraising to help defer the cost of travel expenses. Click here to donate.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® Final Leg for the 2022 World Games will take place from 9 January – 22 January 2022. A team of 120 team members, including 96 law enforcement officer runners, 10 Special Olympics athletes, and logistics personnel – will serve as Guardians of the Flame as they run the Flame of Hope throughout Russia. The Final Leg event and community visits will raise excitement for the World Games throughout the country.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics (LETR) is Special Olympics’ largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle in the world. Nearly 110,000 law enforcement members in all 50 U.S. States, 12 Canadian provinces/territories, and 44 countries contribute to LETR efforts annually as Guardians of the Flame®, ensuring the delivery of the Special Olympics Flame of Hope to the Opening Ceremony of local Special Olympics competitions, state/provincial Games, and national/regional Games.

For more information on the Final Leg team and the members participating, please visit www.letr-finalleg.org

For more information about the 2022 Kazan Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg click here

The Wyoming Law Enforcement Torch Run Hall of Fame Award was created to recognize outstanding individuals who have significantly contributed to the statewide success of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Wyoming athletes.

Getting your agency involved for the first time? Call the Special Olympics Wyoming office- 307-235-3062 or email letr@specialolympicswy.org 

For information about the International Torch Run Program go to www.LETR.org

Wyoming Law Enforcement Torch Run Council

THANK YOU, 2021 SPONSORS!

GUARDIAN SPONSORS

SILVER MEDAL SPONSORS

BRONZE MEDAL SPONSORS

Wyoming Otolaryngology  ~  Wyoming Fraternal Order of Police  ~  Club Dauntless

Trader's Publishing  ~  CEPI of Casper  ~  GSG Architecture  ~  Wyoming Peace Officers Association ~

Oil City Axe Company LLC ~ Douglas Home Consultants Cherie Lehner, Realtor® ~ Stotz Equipment ~ Parker Xavier Media LLC