SHARE

Westchester Police Officers Join Special Olympics Law Enforcement Run

SCARSDALE, N.Y. - Hundreds of Westchester County police officials participated in the New York State Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run on Thursday, keeping the flame alive from Yonkers to Peekskill as it travels through the state to its final destination.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit the Special Olympics took place on Thursday May 5, 2016. The run travels directly through Scarsdale on Route 22, and this year’s run concludes in Peekskill.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit the Special Olympics took place on Thursday May 5, 2016. The run travels directly through Scarsdale on Route 22, and this year’s run concludes in Peekskill.

Photo Credit: Scarsdale PD
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano kicking off the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics NY at the 3rd Precinct on Riverdale Avenue.

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano kicking off the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics NY at the 3rd Precinct on Riverdale Avenue.

Photo Credit: Yonkers PD
Yonkers, MTA, and New Rochelle Police Officers carrying the Special Olympics NY Torch in Mount Vernon today as they make their way to Peekskill.

Yonkers, MTA, and New Rochelle Police Officers carrying the Special Olympics NY Torch in Mount Vernon today as they make their way to Peekskill.

Photo Credit: Yonkers PD
The runtravels directly through Scarsdale on Route 22, and this year’s run had nine runners representing Scarsdale Law Enforcement, including seven police officers, Scarsdale Village Justice Joaquin Alemany and two civilian police officers.

The runtravels directly through Scarsdale on Route 22, and this year’s run had nine runners representing Scarsdale Law Enforcement, including seven police officers, Scarsdale Village Justice Joaquin Alemany and two civilian police officers.

Photo Credit: Scarsdale PD
The Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit the Special Olympics took place on Thursday May 5, 2016. The run travels directly through Scarsdale on Route 22, and this year’s run concludes in Peekskill.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit the Special Olympics took place on Thursday May 5, 2016. The run travels directly through Scarsdale on Route 22, and this year’s run concludes in Peekskill.

Photo Credit: Scarsdale PD
The runtravels directly through Scarsdale on Route 22, and this year’s run had nine runners representing Scarsdale Law Enforcement, including seven police officers, Scarsdale Village Justice Joaquin Alemany and two civilian police officers.

The runtravels directly through Scarsdale on Route 22, and this year’s run had nine runners representing Scarsdale Law Enforcement, including seven police officers, Scarsdale Village Justice Joaquin Alemany and two civilian police officers.

Photo Credit: Scarsdale PD
Law enforcement officials from Tuckahoe, Eastchester, Bronxville and Yonkers get ready to take off outside of EVAC.

Law enforcement officials from Tuckahoe, Eastchester, Bronxville and Yonkers get ready to take off outside of EVAC.

Photo Credit: Eastchester PD

Since its inception in Kansas in 1981, the Law Enforcement Torch Run has become one of the movement’s largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle. This year’s run marks the 30th annual run in New York State.

Every year, officers around the country hoist the Flame of Hope to the Opening Ceremonies of local, state and national Special Olympic competitions. More than $50 million is raised for the cause each year, with more than $550 million since it began 35 years ago.

According to Yonkers Police Det. Lt. Patrick McCormack, last year nearly 2,000 officers from more than 200 police agencies in the state participated in the popular event.

The Westchester leg of the torch run began on Thursday morning when Yonkers police officers carried the torch from the 3rd Precinct on Riverdale Avenue to Eastchester, by way of Mount Vernon. The Flame of Hope was then handed off to the next jurisdiction throughout the county until the route concluded in Peekskill in the afternoon.

to follow Daily Voice North Salem and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE