My name is Joel Goodwin, and I am a Sergeant with the Corvallis Police Department. I have worked for CPD for about 13 years, and have been involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics the entire time. I found out fairly quickly that it is easy to become involved, and the Athletes I meet as a result are inspiring.

I had the distinct honor of being chosen to represent Oregon law enforcement in the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the 2011 World Summer Games in Athens, Greece. I was one of just over 100 law enforcement officials from around the world selected for this three week mission of helping to spread the word about the World Games and Special Olympics. We were split into three separate routes to maximize our efforts.

From June 6th through June 27th I was part of a team covering Cyprus and the Greek Isles. All told we made close to 50 presentations during our journey, stopping a cities large and small. It was an incredible experience on many levels; getting to see so much of Greece on our whirlwind tour was just the icing on the cake.

I was impressed with the reception we received from the Greek (and Cypriot) people. No matter where we went, people stopped what they were doing to cheer for us as we carried the Flame of Hope through the streets to various presentation sites. We were warmly welcomed with kind words, applause, dancing, and food. There is no way to replicate the hospitality we received.

Just as significant was the experience of getting to know the other Torch Runners. We had people from all over the world on our route: Ecuador, Poland, Latvia, Australia, Paraguay, Portugal, and of course Greece and the USA. It was impressive to see the worldwide dedication we shared to the Torch Run and Special Olympics. We started the trip as a bus full of strangers, but by the end of our journey we had become a family, building on our common tie to the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

There was one Torch Runner in particular that I was fortunate to have as a room mate. You see, we also had three Special Olympics athletes on our route: Stephanie, Panos, and Adam. Adam and I were room mates for the duration of the trip, and if given the choice I wouldn’t have anyone else to share the adventure with. I will admit I was a little stressed out during the first few days as Adam and I figured each other out, but it was an eye-opening experience to really see how someone with intellectual disabilities overcomes life’s challenges. I was impressed by Adam’s confidence as he spoke to audiences large and small (15 speeches during the trip!). I was proud of Adam’s determination in earning his Associate’s Degree at his local Community College. But most of all I was awestruck by Adam’s attitude. No matter how tired, hungry, sweaty, sunburned, thirsty, or sore he was he maintained a positive demeanor that was fairly contagious. Adam could not be defeated; he is an inspiration to us all.

Make sure to check out all the World Games Photos at our Facebook Page!

Officers to Carry Special Olympics Torch to Newberg

LETR continues long tradition of igniting Flame of Hope and officially opening Summer State Games

The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) represents a long-standing tradition within the Special Olympics family. During the week of July 11-16, over 800 law enforcement volunteers (Guardians of the Flame) and Special Olympics Oregon athletes will relay the Flame of Hope to Summer State Games, their destination being the Games Ceremonies at Newberg High School Stadium.

The Final Leg of the Torch Run will take place on Saturday afternoon from McMinnville to Newberg and will arrive at Newberg High School at 5:00 p.m. Then, LETR officials will convene for the final Torch procession. Led by more than 75 law enforcement officers, athletes and their coaches will parade into the Newberg High School stadium for Games Ceremonies at 7:30. At the close of ceremonies, a torch bearer and Special Olympics Oregon athlete will run a final lap around the stadium and light the cauldron.
This year’s Torch Run route includes the following legs:

Troutdale to Newberg – 60 miles
Thursday July 14th:
Troutdale to Milwaukee
Jeff Kaer, Portland Police Bureau jeff.kaer@portlandoregon.gov

Friday July 15th:
Milwaukee to Washington County to Sherwood
PJ Steigleder, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office paulste2@co.clackamas.or.us
Pat Tapley, Washington County Sheriff’s Office Patrick_tapley@co.washington.or.us

Ashland to Newberg – 270 miles
Monday July 11th:
Ashland area to Roseburg
Ericka Doran, Medford Police Department ericka.doran@cityofmedford.org

Tuesday July 12th:
Roseburg area to Eugene
Matt Bowersox, Oregon State Police- Roseburg matt.bowersox@state.or.us

Wednesday July 13th:
Eugene to Corvallis
Julie Smith, Eugene Police Department julie.a.smith@ci.eugene.or.us

Thursday July 14th:
Corvallis to Jefferson
Joel Goodwin, Corvallis Police Department joel.goodwin@ci.corvallis.or.us
Alan Lynn, Albany Police Department alan.lynn@cityofalbany.net

Friday July 15th:
Jefferson to McMinnville
Erik Douglass, Marion County Sheriff’s Office edouglass@co.marion.or.us
Brian Frazzini, Salem Police Department bfrazzini@cityofsalem.net
Eric Davenport, Oregon State Police eric.davenport@state.or.us
Adam Dean, McMinnville Police Department adam.dean@ci.mcminnville.or.us

Saturday July 16th:
McMinnville to Newberg
Adam Dean, McMinnville Police Department adam.dean@ci.mcminnville.or.us
Gwen Johns, Newberg-Dundee Police Department gwen.johns@newbergoregon.gov
The torch will arrive at Newberg High School at 5:00 PM.

Brookings to Reedsport – 135 miles
Judy Macho, Reedsport Police Department jmacho@cityofreedsport.org

That weekend—July 15, 16 and 17—some 3,000 Special Olympics Oregon athletes, coaches, and other volunteers will converge on the Newberg area to compete for Olympic medals and ribbons in softball, golf, bocce, track and field, and gymnastics. Athletes have been training for a minimum of eight weeks for the State Summer Games, and must have participated in one of many regional competitions to be eligible to compete this weekend. The public is welcome to come out and watch the competition. Admission is free.

During the Games Ceremonies, an LETR member from an Oregon sheriff’s office will receive the 2011 Ken Davis Unsung Hero Award. This year’s winner is Rock Rakosi, Chief of Police in Myrtle Point. Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is a year-round campaign in which officers support Special Olympics Oregon athletes by running the Torch, attending competitions, participating in medal ceremonies, and raising funds through special events so athletes can participate without fees in the sports offered by Special Olympics. In 2010, the Law Enforcement Torch Run program collected nearly $500,000 for Special Olympics Oregon through events like the Torch Run, Tip-A-Cops and the Polar Plunge.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in Wichita, Kansas in 1981. Now a year-round global event, all 50 states and more than 30 foreign countries participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run relay. In Oregon, more than 1,000 law enforcement personnel from federal, military, state, county and local agencies participate in the Torch Run, Special Olympics Oregon’s largest grassroots fundraising and public awareness program.

Make sure to check out all the Summer State Games Photos on our Facebook Page