Law Enforcement Torch Run passes through Sedona6 min read

April 6, 2023

Chase Jones, of the Sedona Red Rockers, holds the torch during the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics on Friday, March 31. David Jolkovski/Larson Newspapers

Participants of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics pose for a photo at Cultural Park before the run on Friday, March 31. David Jolkovski/Larson Newspapers

Law Enforcement Torch Run passed through Sedona on March 31, helped by numerous runners and law enforcement agencies.

Participants start the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics at Cultural Park on Friday, March 31 (above). Participants include 12 police and fire agencies from Sedona and Northern Arizona, Sedona Red Rockers Unified Athletes and Verde Valley Mountain Region Unified Athletes. David Jolkovski/Larson Newspapers

“LETR for Special Olympics is the largest public awareness vehicle and grass-roots fundraiser for Special Olympics” SPD officer Catherine Beers said. “Known as Guardians of the Flame, law enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes carry the Flame of Hope into the Opening Ceremony of local competitions, and into Special Olympics state, provincial, national, regional and World Games.”

Sedona Police Officer Catherine Beers leads the start of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics at Cultural Park Place and 89A on Friday, March 31. David Jolkovski/Larson Newspapers

“Annually, more than 100,000 dedicated and compassionate law enforcement members carry the ‘Flame of Hope,’ symbolizing courage and celebration of diversity uniting communities around the globe,” Beers said. “Since 2020, the traditional style of handing off the torch via long legs of running from city to city has been recreated into a shorter distanced, combined agency event.”

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics on Friday, March 31. David Jolkovski/Larson Newspapers

“This allows for a more visible event with a group of athletes and law enforcement,” Beers said. “Sedona and YCSO have been alternating years of hosting the event in Sedona; Yavapai County. Sedona Fire has been a huge support for both agencies the past several years; assisting with traffic, first aide, water and cheering on the sidelines.”

Participants in this year’s LETR include Sedona Police Department, Sedona Fire District, Cottonwood Police Department, Clarkdale Police Department, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Forest Service, Camp Verde Marshal’s Office, Prescott Police Department, Prescott Valley Police Department, Chino Valley Police Department, Page Police Department, Williams Police Department, Oro Valley Police Department, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Payson Police Department, Northern Arizona Regional Training Academy Recruits, Sedona Red Rockers Unified Athletes and Verde Valley Mountain Region Unified Athletes.

Jose Zavalza, of the Sedona Red Rockers, holds the torch during the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics on Friday, March 31. David Jolkovski/Larson Newspapers

“I’ve been the Special Olympics representative for Sedona PD for four years now. I never knew how passionate I would become about this organization until I experience the joy of the athletes firsthand. Through the partnership of LETR and Special Olympics, we are able to provide opportunities for athletes to empower and transform themselves, their communities and the world,” Beers said.