For the first time since 2019, the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) International Conference returned in 2022. This year’s conference was held in Round Rock, Texas, Nov. 2-5, for nearly 1,000 law enforcement personnel from around world who are the leaders of the LETR in their Programs. The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics North Carolina (NC LETR) had a delegation of 40 members, which included agency leaders, law enforcement officers, NC LETR Athlete Ambassadors and Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) staff. During the general sessions of the conference, Lt. Ken Klos-Weller of the Raleigh Police Department assisted in the presentation of the Flame of Hope, which symbolizes courage and the celebration of diversity, uniting communities around the globe
Led by NC LETR Director Major Ryan Jackson of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, the NC LETR was recognized for four major awards during the ceremony.
North Carolina received a diamond level of excellence award by the LETR International Executive Council for raising $1.3 million during the 2021 campaign year, under the leadership of former NC LETR Director Lt. Bill Davis of the North Carolina State University Campus Police Department.
NC LETR Athlete Ambassador Robin Callaway of Charlotte was recognized for the 2020 LETR International Executive Council Athlete Award, which she received virtually. Recipients of this award from 2020 and 2021 were recognized on stage in front of all attendees since they did not have their chance to appear live due to the pandemic.
NC LETR Athlete Ambassador Dustin Edmondson of Greensboro was one of three athletes to receive the 2022 LETR International Executive Council Athlete Award. Captain Joey Best of the Apex Police Department was nominated for the John Carion Unsung Hero Award.
The final award of the conference was presented to David Keith “DK” Jones (retired) of the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office. Jones was inducted into the Chief Richard LaMunyon International Law Enforcement Torch Run Hall of Fame for 2022 in recognition of his more than 30 years of service to the NC LETR in many roles, including former NC LETR Director and a Final Leg runner on behalf of SONC in the Special Olympics World Games 2011 Athens.
The LETR began more than 30 years ago with founder Chief Richard LaMunyon and five law enforcement officers who carried the Torch for the Special Olympics Kansas Summer Games in Wichita. The LETR has since become much more than an annual run for Special Olympics Summer Games. For the many involved with the LETR, it represents honor, respect and pride. Now, a worldwide community of Law Enforcement officers rally to support Special Olympics, the impetus for millions of new friendships around the world and a series of events including Torch Runs, Polar Plunge® fundraisers and Tip-A-Cop® events.
The LETR is the largest grassroots public awareness and fundraising campaign for Special Olympics with more than 100,000 law enforcement participants around the world. Since its inception in 1981, the LETR has raised over $900 million and changed millions of attitudes.
The NC LETR involves more than 2,000 law enforcement officers representing more than 200 agencies. In addition to raising funds through collecting sponsorships, T-shirt and hat donations and unique fundraising events, the officers take part in relays spanning over 2,000 miles in 30 days to pass the Flame of Hope across the state, culminating in the lighting of the cauldron to officially open the Special Olympics North Carolina Summer Games each summer in Raleigh.
