Henderson police officers, Vance County sheriffs deputies and North Carolina Highway Patrol troopers are planning to participate in the annual Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run on Tuesday morning, May 31.
The torch run will start at the police station on Breckenridge Street at 10 a.m. with a brief ceremony. Mayor Clem Seifert, Police Chief Glen Allen and Sheriff R. Thomas Breedlove are scheduled to speak before Allen and Breedlove light the torch.
Officers will carry the torch down Garnett Street to Dabney Drive, up to Oxford Road and on to the city limits at Sunset Gardens. The total run will be about 2.5 miles.
Police Lt. Irvin Robinson, the local organizer of the torch run, said anyone is welcome to run along with the officers and the torch that morning.
The main purpose of the torch run, held across the state and the nation, as well as in 25 countries, is to raise money for the Special Olympics while showing support for the achievements and courage of the Special Olympics athletes.
North Carolinas torch run raises money through the sale of T-shirts commemorating the event. The shirts are $13 and are available by calling Robinson at 431-6061 or visiting the police station.