Law enforcement agencies participate in Special Olympics Torch Run in Sikeston

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

SIKESTON, Mo. (KBSI) — Law enforcement officers from across southeast Missouri gathered in Sikeston Wednesday morning for the return of the annual Special Olympics Torch Run.

The event began at 9 a.m. at Walmart on South Main Street, where officers from multiple agencies started a three-mile run through the city before ending at First United Methodist Church.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is held each year across Missouri to help raise awareness and support for Special Olympics athletes and programs statewide.

Sikeston Department of Public Safety Public Information Officer Sgt. Tyler Rowe said the event had not been held locally the past few years, making this year’s return especially meaningful for officers involved.

“This is something we haven’t done in the past few years, but we’re due to getting this back up and running,” Rowe said. “Here we are today, and we’re participating with multiple other law enforcement agencies across the state of Missouri.”

Rowe said one local Special Olympics athlete participated in Wednesday’s run alongside officers from the Sikeston area.

He said events like the Torch Run help strengthen relationships between athletes, officers and the community while also bringing different agencies together.

“So to do this, for them to come together as multiple agencies and just kind of embrace the camaraderie of this event is awesome for everybody to see,” Rowe said.

The Torch Run is modeled after the tradition of carrying the Olympic flame from one location to another. Rowe said the event symbolizes law enforcement agencies across Missouri coming together in support of Special Olympics athletes.

“This is kind of our way of taking it across the state of Missouri as one, and really showing these Special Olympians we care about them,” Rowe said.

Rowe, who said he participated in Torch Runs earlier in his law enforcement career, said many officers were excited to see the tradition return this year.

“Getting back to this and really looking forward to this event every year is something that I’ve really enjoyed,” Rowe said.