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Law Enforcement Torch Run

The Law Enforcement Torch Run was completed Wednesday May 11 from Willow Springs to West Plains. Lieutenant Jerry Elliott with the Missouri Dept. of Conservation and officers from several agencies conducted the local 13th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run. The run began at 8:00 a.m. starting at the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop G Headquarters in Willow Springs and traveled through the town of Willow Springs and picked up again in West Plains. The route took runners down Porter Wagner Ave. and various downtown streets and ending at Dairy Queen. The LETR began over 30 years ago. Today, the LETR is held in 50 states and 35 countries around the world. The event raise’s over $40 million annually and recruits more than 15,000 law enforcement officers from all over the world. What began in 1981 as a 30-mile run is now a relay covering more than 1,000 miles with over 1,000 runners. Lt. Elliott states “It’s more than a run; the Torch Run is a campaign to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics. The mission of the LETR is to raise both dollars and awareness for Special Olympics. Nearly 200 agencies and 2,500 officers work year-round in Missouri to accomplish this goal”. All funds raised go towards supporting Special Olympics Missouri’s year-round sports training and athletic competition program for over 14,000 athletes across the state. 
A special thanks to the following agencies for assisting in the LETR: Willow Springs Police Department, Howell County Fire Department, West Plains Police Department, West Plains Fire Department, and West Plains Dairy Queen for feeding all the runners and supporting the local athletes of the Special Olympics.
Participants included: From the Missouri Department of Conservation, Lieutenant Jerry Elliott, Corporal Chris Ely, and Corporal Tom Leeker. From the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Captain Bruce Fisk, Corporal Adam Johnson, Trooper Dakota Nash, Trooper Kage Etherton, Trooper Jacob Smith, Trooper William Wadlington, and Assistant Communications Chief Annette Tesch. Howell County Special Olympics Athletes, Shane Riggs, Ryan Morris, Nevah Morris, Jacob Hoyle, Nick McCauley, Mark Barnard, Savannah, Katherine, and Brooklyn.
 
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Howell County News

110 W. Main St.,
Willow Springs, MO 65793
417-252-2123

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