Share: 

Law Enforcement Torch Run kicks off Special Olympics Delaware

Motor Officer Cpl. Robert Vernon of Newark Police Department carries the flame up the steps for the transfer. DENY HOWETH PHOTOS
Deny Howeth
June 21, 2017
Cpl. Andrew Shea, Delaware State Police Troop 5, brother of Chris Shea, the honored officer, carriers the flame out of town on Rehoboth Avenue Extended.
Bobby Cummings, former chief, Wilmington Police Department and chair of Delaware Law Enforcement for Special Olympics thanks attendees and participants for their support.
Law Enforcement motorcycles arrive with the Flame of Hope.
Sgt. Barry Wheatly of Millsboro Police Department carried the flame for the first leg of the run.
Runners head out of town.
The torch runners head out of town for the first leg of the Torch Run.
Runners line up before the start of the run.
Greg Nolt, director, Law Enforcement for Special Olympics and Delaware Gaming Enforcement officer, right, presents an acknowledgment for all the support Nicola Pizza has offered for many years. Shown are (l-r) Kelly Munyan, manager, Nicola Pizza; Reggie Miller, Special Olympics athlete; Nick Caggiano Jr., owner, Nicola Pizza; and Nolt.
After transporting the flame in to town Motor Officer Cpl. Robert Vernon of Newark Police Department waits with the flame to present it to Sgt. Barry Wheatly of Millsboro Police Department.
The crowd thanks Motor Officer Cpl. Robert Vernon of Newark Police Department for transporting the flame.
The family of Cpl. Chris Shea, DSP, who was tragically killed in a traffic accident, joined Sgt. Barry Wheatly on the first leg of the Torch Run. Shown are (l-r) Wheatly, Cpl. Andrew Shea, Delaware State Police Troop 5, Chris Shea's brother; Susan Shea, wife of Chris Shea and her children Elizabeth Shea, Christopher Shea; and in back is emcee of the event, Brian K. Hall 103.5 & 106.1 The Vault.
The family of Cpl. Chris Shea, DSP join the Torch Run. Shown are (l-r) Andrew, Elizabeth, Susan Shea and Sgt. Barry Wheatly.
The Torch run head out on Rt. 1.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run kicked off the Summer Games June 7, in Rehoboth Beach with Law Enforcement motorcycles presenting the Flame of Hope during a  ceremony before the runners then led the torch out of town with the first mile dedicated to Cpl. Chris Shea, DSP, who was tragically killed in a traffic accident.

This first leg of the Torch Run is sponsored by Nicola Pizza. 

The flame continues to Delaware State Police Troop 7 in Lewes where the run stops for the night. The Flame of Hope is run into the Special Olympics Delaware Opening Ceremony for the Summer Games. Throughout the Torch Run, several volunteers leap-frog the Torch Run to ensure it stays lit,  a tradition started by the late Winnie "Torch Master" Spence in 1994.

Delaware is the only state in the country that runs a lit Flame of Hope the entire length of the state prior to its Summer Games.

 

 

Most Popular

Subscribe to the CapeGazette.com Daily Newsletter

Most Popular