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Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run makes stop in Rehoboth

Department of Correction Commissioner Monroe Hudson carries the Flame of Hope into Rehoboth where it was handed off to Cpl. Jeff Bixler of the Rehoboth Beach Police Department to carry to its next transfer. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
June 8, 2023

The 37th annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Delaware Special Olympics made a stop at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand June 7.

The torch was passed from Department of Correction Commissioner Monroe Hudson, 2023 Torch Run chair, to Cpl. Jeff Bixler of the Rehoboth Beach Police. Bixler led a group running the torch out of town via Rehoboth Avenue. The torch will end its journey at the Special Olympics Delaware Summer Games at the University of Delaware.

The Torch Run involves more than 600 law enforcement officers and includes multiple legs spanning the state. The event culminates with the final leg into the University of Delaware Bob Carpenter Center for the official Opening Ceremony at 4:15 p.m., Friday, June 9, where the Flame of Hope will be delivered.

Delaware Law Enforcement for Special Olympics has raised more than $10 million to support Special Olympics Delaware.

For more info about the Special Olympics, go to SODE.org.

 

Delaware State Police Sgt. Gary Fournier, left, of the Delaware State Police leads the Torch Run for the last time. He was named the 2022 Winnie Spence Torch Runner of the Year. He has volunteered with the Special Olympics Delaware for more than 25 years.
Delaware State Police Sgt. Gary Fournier, right, speaks with former Delaware State Police Capt. Greg Nolt before the Torch Run continues its trek to the Special Olympics Delaware Summer Games at the University of Delaware.
Sussex Riptide coach Ron Bailey, center, stands with his track athletes Connor Watson, left, and Sasha Hudson.
Hanging out at the Torch Run are volunteers (l-r) Sara and Annmarie Perrotta and Lizzie Shea.
Emcee Brian Hall tells the audience about the Torch Run history.
Special Olympics Delaware workers and volunteers gathered at the event are (l-r) Corrine Plummer, Lisa Smith, Len Leshem and Greg Nolt.
The Flame of Hope was passed from Department of Correction Commissioner Monroe Hudson, right, to Cpl. Jeff Bixler of the Rehoboth Beach Police Department. 
Special Olympics athletes participating in the run are (l-r) Colton Sligh, Steve Dagg, Sarah Windley, Tyler Tilghman and Sasha Hudson.
The motorcycles representing police departments throughout Delaware prepare to lead the next leg of the Torch Run.
Cpl. Jeff Bixler of the Rehoboth Beach Police Department leads the next leg of the Torch Run.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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