Local law enforcement personnel from across North Dakota will lace up their shoes and hit the pavement Tuesday, June 21st – Thursday, June 23rd to promote the relationship between Special Olympics North Dakota (SOND) and Law Enforcement across the state.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) will take place in communities across North
Dakota, including Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Minot, Pembina, and
Williston.
Each Law Enforcement Torch Run details and contact information are below.

WHEN: Tuesday, June 21st – Thursday, June 23rd, 2022
WHY: The Law Enforcement Torch Run® started in North Dakota in 1985 to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics North Dakota and the State Summer Games. Each year more than 400 LE Officers in North Dakota promote the concept of partnership and prosperity as the “Guardians of the Flame”. The “Flame of Hope” ignites the hopes and brightens the lives of more than 1,600 athletes that participate in any of the 15 sports offered by SOND each year.


LOCAL LETR DETAILS INCLUDE:
Bismarck
2:30 p.m. – Wednesday, June 22nd
The Bismarck Torch Run will start at the State Capitol Building and run south to Scheels in
the Kirkwood Mall. Members of the community are invited to participate.
Law Enforcement Contact:
Kevin Arthaud, Bismarck Transition Center
701-222-3440 ext. 101, karthaud@cccscorp.com2 | Special Olympics North Dakota


Fargo
4:30 p.m. – Wednesday, June 22nd
Start point TBD
Law Enforcement Contact:
Deputy Katie Violet, Cass County Sheriff’s Office
701-367-5740, VioletK@casscountynd.gov


Grand Forks
7:00 a.m. – Thursday, June 23rd
The Grand Forks Torch Run will begin at the Grand Forks Air Force Base (Main Gate), with
cadets from the Peace Officer Training Academy, Air Force Airman, and local LE will be
running to Scheels in the Columbia Mall. Members of the community are invited to
participate.
Law Enforcement Contact:
Inv. Chris Smith, Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office
701-780-8303, chris.smith@gfcounty.org
Trooper Travis Nelson, NDHP
701-328-1081, trnelson@nd.gov


Jamestown to Valley City
8:00 a.m. – Thursday, June 23rd
The Jamestown Torch Run will start at Bloom Exit on I-94 (mile marker 262) and continue
east towards Valley City finishing at Valley Meats (1269 W Main St). Members of the
community are invited to participate.
Law Enforcement Contact:
Jeffery Lorenz, James River Correctional Center, Jamestown
701-253-3759, jdlorenz@nd.gov


Minot
9:00 a.m. – Thursday, June 23rd
The Minot Torch Run will start at the Main Gate of the Minot Air Force Base and run south
on Highway 83 to South Broadway through the city to Buffalo Wild Wings. Members of the
community are invited to participate.
Law Enforcement Contacts:
Jacob Olson, Minot Police Department
701-500-6721; Jacob.olson@minotnd.org


Pembina
9:00 a.m. – Thursday, June 23rd
The Pembina Torch Run will start from Niche, ND to Pembina, ND on Hwy 55. Members of
the community are invited to participate.

Law Enforcement Contact:
Thomas Horsley, United States CBP
701-886-7589, THOMAS.E.HORSLEY@CBP.DHS.GOV


Williston
10:00 a.m. – Thursday, June 23rd
The run will start at the Williams County LEC (206 E. Broadway) parking lot and end at the
ARC. Members of the community are invited to participate.
Law Enforcement Contact:
Detective Ashley Celander, WPD
701-580-1211, CelanderA@ci.williston.nd.us


HISTORY OF LETR®:
Since the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics was started by Kansas Law
Enforcement officers in 1981, it has been the largest worldwide grass-roots fundraiser to
benefit Special Olympics. The program has grown into a worldwide partnership between
law enforcement and Special Olympics, creating wonderful opportunities to showcase the
talents and abilities of children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
The 2022 Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics North Dakota is sponsored in
part by: Title Sponsor: Scheels; Bronze Medal: EDF Renewable Energy, Leevers, North
Dakota Troopers Association, North Dakota Police Officers Association, and North Dakota
Telephone Company; Other: BNI Energy.
WEBSITE: www.specialolympicsnd.org
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook: SpecialOlympicsND
Twitter: @SONorthDakota
Instagram: @specialolympicsnd