C.O. Law Enforcement Torch Run set for Thursday

The Bend Police Department, along with the Black Butte Police Department, Sunriver Police Department, Deschutes County Parole and Probation, Deschutes County 911, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office, FBI and the Oregon State Police are all participating in the “Flame of Hope” Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Participants will meet Thursday at the Bend Police Department before traveling to the intersection of Cottonwood Road and Highway 97. The Law Enforcement Torch Run begins at noon from this location. The participants will run from Sunriver to the Old Mill District in Bend, traveling 13.4 miles.

If you are traveling on the route, please be cautious of all athletes and law enforcement vehicles.

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.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run has grown over the years and now includes many fundraising platforms to include: Plane Pulls, Polar Plunges, Tip-A-Cops, and more. Since the beginning, Law Enforcement Torch Run has raised over $600 million for Special Olympics programs.