BONNERS FERRY — Law enforcement officers ran along U.S. 95 near Boundary County Middle School on May 11 as Idaho’s Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics officially kicked off in Bonners Ferry. Behind the runners, several Bonners Ferry Special Olympics athletes sat in the bed of a truck cheering them on.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run in Idaho officially kicked off in Bonners Ferry, with Boundary County Sheriff’s deputies, Bonners Ferry Police Department officers and Idaho State Police troopers running in support of Special Olympics from a nearby gas station to Boundary County Middle School. 

When the run ended at the middle school, organizers and Special Olympics athletes spoke to a group of middle school students about the event, which since its inception has raised around $1 billion globally. 

“I work with law enforcement agencies all around the state to help raise awareness and money for Special Olympics,” LETR organizer Mike Fitch said. “They do it in every state and multiple countries around the world and it looks different everywhere.” 

“We just happen to start in Bonners because it’s the furthest north,” Fitch said. “The law enforcement there has actually been really supportive.” 

After Boundary County, the torch moves throughout North Idaho and southeastern Idaho before ending in Nampa. 

“The torch just winds its way all around the state until it is at opening ceremonies in Nampa at Nampa High School, where we’ll use it to light the cauldron and kick off Summer Games for the Special Olympics,” Fitch said. 

Athlete recruitment is one of the main ways LETR can support Special Olympics. 

“We’re really making a push to try and get more youth into Special Olympics,” Fitch said. “We have athletes in their 70s and 80s that have been doing it for the majority of their lives.” 

The event has grown by seven stops this year to 20 in total, including Sandpoint. 

“We didn’t do Sandpoint last year,” Fitch said. “We would love to grow by seven again next year.” 

The length of each run varies by location but averages about a mile.

“Not all cops are huge fans of running,” Fitch said jokingly. “It’s a pretty casual jog.” 

Fitch said the event gives officers an opportunity to show their softer side. 

“I think they have a deep appreciation for the impact that Special Olympics can have on communities and on individuals with intellectual disabilities,” Fitch said. 

Ladonna Gaston, a Special Olympics athlete, shared her favorite part of the event besides riding in the truck.  

“Being with my friends,” Gaston said.  

Mike Bjoraker, another athlete, will compete in cycling at the state games alongside Gaston. He described why he chose cycling.  

“It makes you stronger and it makes you work harder,” Bjoraker said. 

Douglas Wilson of Boundary County Detention coordinated the event locally. 

“Since I’ve been with the department for two years, I decided to put my hat in the ring and help out with setting everything up and getting everything squared away, just get involved in my community,” Wilson said. 

Boundary County Sheriff Travis Stolley participated in the event for the first time. 

“I just think it’s a good opportunity to work with Special Olympics and represent law enforcement,” Stolley said. 

Bonners Ferry Special Olympics head coach John Beck said the event was all for the athletes. 

“I’m glad that we can get the middle school involved,” Beck said. “At one point, they were all students here at the middle school.” 

Next up for five Bonners Ferry athletes is a trip to the state games May 29-30 in Nampa.

“They’re going to be competing down at the state games,” Beck said. “It’s a really big deal for them. Sometimes, I don’t think they know how big a deal it is.” 

    The Law Enforcement Torch Run took place along U.S. 95.
  

    Douglas Wilson with BCSO carried the torch throughout the entire race.