Fairhope—Local, county, state and federal law enforcement officers that serve Baldwin County will gather in Fairhope on Friday, April 29, for the Baldwin County Alabama Law Enforcement Torch Run. These officers will carry the “Flame of Hope” over three miles along Greeno Road (U.S. Hwy 98) from the Fairhope High School to the Fairhope Municipal Stadium (W.C. Majors Field). The run will begin at 8 a.m. following a pep-rally at the high school. The officers will deliver the “Flame of Hope” to the Special Olympics athletes during the opening ceremonies of the Baldwin County Special Olympics Games. The opening ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

Founded in 1981, the Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest grass roots fundraising and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics in the world. Each year officers carry the “Flame of Hope” through the streets of their hometowns and deliver it to their local, state or national Special Olympics Games.

As “Guardians of the Flame,” these heroes have given hope to thousands of Special Olympics athletes who aspire to compete, to achieve and to reach their potential.

Foley Police Sgt. Chuck Sutherlin has volunteered for the Alabama Law Enforcement Torch Run (ALETR) for the nine years and is currently a member of the ALETR Executive Council. He has carried the torch in events all over the country.

“As a police officer, it is truly a life changing experience to be a ‘Guardian of the Flame’. I get the opportunity to be in the presence of some very extraordinary people… our brothers and sisters with intellectual disabilities. They view me as a hero because I’m a police officer. It’s a great feeling, but the fact is Special Olympics athletes are my heroes. It’s an honor serving them.”

Citizens are encouraged to come out and cheer the Torch-runners as they make their way to the county games.