Gaston law enforcement on the run for Special Olympics

A sunny spring morning in the 70s greeted dozens of Gaston County law enforcement officers on a run Friday that touches their hearts.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics started at 7:30 a.m. Friday at the Dixie Village Shopping Center and ended more than 10 miles later at the Movies at Franklin Square.

Forty law enforcement officers from Gaston County participated in the run, supported by 10 others along the motorcade, along with the the cheers and encouragement of not only Special Olympians, but also passers-by along the Franklin Boulevard route.

"They are our heroes," Gaston County Sheriff's Office Capt. Monica Becton said of the Special Olympians. "They're so inclusive, so welcoming. They don't see themselves as having a disability, but they see the abilities they do have.

"It's just a family when you're around that group of residents."

The Gaston County Sheriff's Office and Gastonia Police helped organize the annual fundraiser, but law enforcement officers from across the county volunteered to participate, Becton said.

Special Olympians and other volunteers were along the route to not only offer assistance, but also encouragement to the runners.

"We had a lot of people stop along the way and give words of encouragement to the officers who were running and thank them," Becton said.

Gaston County's Special Olympics took place in early May. The summer Special Olympics takes place in Raleigh in early June.

Officers sell Torch Run T-shirts to raise money for the event. To order a $20 Torch Run shirt, contact Capt. Becton at the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office  at 704-869-6832 or mbecton@gcps.org.

You can reach Kevin Ellis at 704-201-7016 or email him at kellis@gastongazette.com.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gaston law enforcement on the run for Special Olympics