- July 26, 2024
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Ormond Beach Police Sgt. Michael Garner holds the torch alongside Capt. Chris Roos during OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Jeff Wright, Toni Wright and Michelle Ellis, of Adams, Cameron and Co. Realtors, host a raffle during OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Sgt. John Dovine, Hunter Champions and Officer Justin Hyatt during OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Officer Justin Hyatt and his K-9, Klaus, during OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Wiley Garner and Ormond Beach Police Officers Allie Anderegg and Courtney Grimes smile during OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Local Special Olympians Lance Avery, Emily Spottiswood, Riley Jackson, Kira Lyman and Tony Lecates were excited for OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach firefighter Van Meadows, Special Olympian David Tambini, Capt. Lynn Taylor, Special Olympian Richard Tambini and firefighter Luke Hoynoski. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Special Olympian Riley Jackson, Ormond Beach Police Sgt. Michael Garner and Capt. Chris Roos prepare for OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Special Olympian Lance Avery, his mother Anni Suadi, Special Olympian Emily Spottiswood, Ormond Beach Police Sgt. Michael Garner and Capt. Chris Roos. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Capt. Chris Roos, and Kristin, Kylar, Knox and Keith Deaton. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Sgt. Michael Garner and Chief Jesse Godfrey. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Sgt. Michael Garner extinguishes the flame prior to the start of OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Runners take off during OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Volusia County Sheriff's deputies ride on four-wheelers behind the runners during OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Carson Frasier is the first to cross the finish line during OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Kylar Deaton is the second to cross the finish line during OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Everett Sargent crosses the finish line during OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
People run to the finish line during OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
City Commissioner Lori Tolland gives people a high five as they cross the finish line during OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
City Commissioner Lori Tolland gives people a high five as they cross the finish line during OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Officer Allie Anderegg crosses the finish line during OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
People cross the finish line during OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
People cross the finish line during OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
People cross the finish line during OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Children cross the finish line during OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Keith Deaton crosses the finish line during OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
People cross the finish line during OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
John Keller crosses the finish line during OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Officer Carlos Ortiz and Willow Soard race to the finish line during OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Evan Sargent and Kristin Deaton cross the finish line during OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Thomas Touzalin and Shay Douglas laugh as they cross the finish line during OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Motor units from different law enforcement agencies line up at the conclusion of OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Riders with Law Enforcement United stop by OBPD's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4, to honor the agency's fallen officers. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Over 100 people took part in Ormond Beach Police Department's first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, May 4.
Local Special Olympians ran alongside officers from OBPD, Holly Hill Police Department, the Probation and Parole Office, Flagler County Sheriff's Office, Volusia County Sheriff's Office, Florida Department of Corrections, Daytona Beach Shores Police Department, Edgewater Police Department, New Smyrna Beach Police Department, Port Orange Police Department, Orange City Police Department and the FBI. Students from the Daytona State College Basic Law Enforcement Class 106 were also in attendance.
The 1-mile fun run started and ended at City Hall. It acted as a fundraiser for Special Olympics Florida. Carson Frasier, of Seabreeze High School, finished first.
Ormond Beach real estate agents Jeff and Toni Wright and Michelle Ellis, all with Adams Cameron and Co. Realtors, helped OBPD fundraise just under $700 at the event.
"For the first time OBPD hosting the event, it was a great turnout," Toni Wright said. "Seeing everyone in their red shirts in support of Special Olympics Florida was powerful and we were glad to be a part of it."
Prior to the start of the race, Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey thanked everyone for supporting the Special Olympics and its athletes by participating in the torch run.
"We're blessed to be able to do this in Ormond Beach," Godfrey said. "We took the leap and we're blessed to have our law enforcement partners here at our special event."
OBPD decided to host the torch run after learning that there wasn't an event in place this year for Volusia County. Each year, law enforcement agencies from across the state help carry the Olympic torch by hosting races in their respective counties.
In addition to the race, riders with Law Enforcement United made a stop at City Hall to pay tribute to OBPD's fallen officers, Officer Robert Grim who died in 2004 and Cpl. Michael Bakaysa, who died in December 2023.