Editor’s Note: We at PoliceOne — like these great cops in Topeka (Kan.) and police officers everywhere — have a special place in our hearts for kids. Thanks to these officers for the great things they’re doing for their local Special Olympics athletes, and thanks also to the editorial team at the Topeka Capital-Journal for granting us permission to run the below article in full.
By Phil Anderson
Topeka Capital-Journal
The bond between Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement officers was in evidence Wednesday morning on the south side of the Statehouse during a brief torch-lighting ceremony preceding the start of the state games this weekend in Wichita.
About a dozen Special Olympics athletes gathered with officers from the Topeka Police Department, Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office, Capitol Police and Shawnee County Department of Corrections for the ceremony, which got under way at 7 a.m.
After the torch was lit, law enforcement officers ran behind police motorcycles south on S.W. Topeka Boulevard.
Once out of the city limits, the officers were to take turns carrying the torch in approximate one-mile increments south on US-75 highway to the Beto Junction area, about 50 miles south of Topeka.
From there, officers from other jurisdictions would carry the torch to Wichita, where the state Special Olympics opening ceremony will take place Friday night at Cessna Stadium.
Competition for the 41st annual Kansas Special Olympics will take place Friday through Sunday in Wichita. About 2,000 athletes , coaches, sponsors and volunteers are expected to participate.
Det. Kristi Powell, of the Topeka Police Department, said Wednesday’s torch run was extra special as it was being done for the 30th consecutive year. The torch ran began in 1981 in Wichita.
The torch run, Powell said, “has gone from something that started in Kansas to something that’s now pretty much worldwide.”
Powell said some of the officers who would run with the torch on Wednesday were doing so for the first time.
The Special Olympics, which is for people with intellectual disabilities, is “very near and dear to Kansas law enforcement,” Powell said.
Many agencies, such as those in the Topeka area, work year-round at raising funds to help support the athletes and send them to the various competitions.
Officer Derrick Mahoney, of the Capitol Police, said he encourages his colleagues to get involved with the Special Olympics.
“It’s one of those things for law enforcement that you can’t afford not to be involved with,,” he said. “It provides positive feedback from the community to the officers.”
Topeka Police Chief Ron Miller said Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement officers have “a great partnership” and share a mutual admiration for each other.
Among the Special Olympics athletes being greeted Wednesday morning by Sheriff Richard Barta was Jerry Henson, 53, of Topeka. For Henson, this weekend’s Special Olympics games will be the 40th in which he has participated.
Henson said he would take part in the 200-meter walk, the 100-meter walk, the softball throw and the standing long jump.
“We’re looking forward to going down there,” Henson said. “We all have a good time.”
Mike Smoot, 31, another Special Olympics athlete, said he was looking forward to getting to Wichita for this weekend’s games.
Beyond competing in track and field events, Smoot said, he enjoys “seeing friends and athletes that I recognize.”
Bekah Henderson, 20, said this would be her sixth Special Olympics competition in Wichita. She said she would be participating in several track and field events.
Perhaps more important than the competition was the camaraderie, she said.
“I just like being with my friends,” Henderson said. “I get to meet a lot of new people at state. They’re just a lot of really great people.”
Copyright 2011 Topeka Capital-Journal