Officers will carry Special Olympics torch
By The Emporia Gazette (Contact)
Originally published 01:39 p.m., May 27, 2008
Updated 01:39 p.m., May 27, 2008
More than 600 law enforcement officers from Kansas are carrying the torch for Special Olympics Kansas this week.
The series of statewide runs began today and officers from more than 60 agencies will carry the Flame of Hope through 24 counties in Kansas over four days.
In Emporia, the torch run will be led by County Coordinator Larry Clay. Area law enforcement officers have raised money and awareness throughout the year. This was done through the Kansas Law Enforcement Torch Run to support Special Olympics Kansas. The Flame of Hope will arrive in Emporia on Wednesday at the Emporia Police Department. The relay will head toward El Dorado on Thursday and arrive there later in the day.
At 10 a.m. Thursday, Emporia Special Olympics athletes will join law enforcement and parade the torch south on Commercial Street from Emporia State University. The Emporia Police Department and Lyon County Sheriff’s officers will carry the torch to El Dorado via Highways 99 and 54. Officers will hand the torch off to El Dorado law enforcement at 6 p.m.
At 6:30 p.m. on Friday, officers will gather for a final leg ceremony at the Wichita Clay Hall before carrying the torch to Cessna Stadium in Wichita to light the cauldron. This will open the State Summer Games.