Nearly 500 police officers from around the state made their way from Pittsburgh to State College to raise funds for the Special Olympics.
The annual Torch Run kick starts the 50th annual Special Olympics PA Summer Games, which are being held today through Saturday in State College.
“Police are the worldwide guardians of the flame for the Torch Run,” said Allegheny County Port Authority Chief of Police Matt Porter.
He joined Monroeville officers Tuesday at a Speedway gas station along Route 22 near Alpine Village Drive as they passed the torch to Murrysville police officers.
Monroeville Police Chief Doug Cole said it’s a great event and that he is glad to participate.
“This is my first one in five or six years,” he said while waiting to carry the torch from the Sheetz gas station along William Penn Highway in Monroeville. He joined eight other Monroeville police officers on the three-mile run.
Porter said police around the state raised $1.8 million for the Special Olympics last year.
The run ended with the lighting of the “Flame of Hope” during opening ceremonies Wednesday at Penn State’s Pegula Ice Arena.
For more, see www.SpecialOlympicsPA.org.
