Stark County law enforcement take part in torch run for Special Olympics
CANTON – About a dozen Canton police officers participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run benefiting the Special Olympics on Thursday.
The event involves five torches being carried by law enforcement agencies through the state, making their way to Columbus for Friday's Special Olympics opening ceremony.
Canton officers carried the torch for a 2.25-mile run that started at the former Timken High School and made their way west across Tuscarawas Street through Monument and Stadium parks, ending inside Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
The Northeast Ohio leg of the event began Monday in Painesville and concluded Thursday in Stark County.
Canal Fulton police kicked off Thursday's run at 8 a.m., handing over the torch to Lawrence Township police at 8:20 a.m., then over to North Canton police at 8:50 a.m. and to Canton police at 10 a.m.
"It's a great fundraiser for a great cause," said Canton Police Lt. Michael Roberts.
Roberts kicked off and ended the run for Canton. He thanked the Hall of Fame Village for partnering with department for the cause.
"We appreciated being able to finish the run at Tom Benson Stadium," Roberts stated.
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The village of Navarre was next to receive the torch at 11 a.m. followed by the Strasburg police department just before noon, officially ending the Northeast Ohio tour.
Doylestown Police Officer Nate Samples is the one of the Northeast Ohio leg leaders and has been part of organization for 14 years.
"Everyone who participated in the torch run signed a banner that will be hung in Columbus during the Special Olympics' opening ceremony," Samples said.
Special Olympics athletes were not present for the Canton area run, but had participated in earlier runs, Samples said.
"This is the first time we've run through Stark County, and it's really a humbling experience. Our goal was to raise $41,000 and we've reached $46,000, which covers all of our Special Olympic athletes' expenses, Samples said.
The Canton Police Department raised over $3,000 with donations being accepted through help.sponsoranathlete.org/cantonpolice.
"It was a great first year and we look forward to building off of it for all future years," Roberts said.
More information can be found at www.LETR.org.
Reach Cassandra cnist@gannett.com; 330-580-8338; Follow on Twitter @Cassienist
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Local police agencies participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run
