Police Officers Run To Raise Money, Bring Awareness To Special Olympics

Special Olympic athletes Trent Hampton and Ben Beavers led the pack of police officers in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, a 14-mile run from Montauk to East Hampton, on Thursday, and when the run was over, they were thanking the officers for their support. 

"I do it because it shows there are a lot of law enforcement personnel that have respect and have a heart for the disabled in the world," Hampton said. 

Hampton, a 34-year-old West Babylon resident, and Beavers, a 40-year-old North Amityville resident, run track and field events at the Special Olympics, but their athletic prowess stands out anywhere. 

"Those guys motivate me," said East Hampton Town Police Officer Joe Monteil, a triathlete, who participated in the Torch Run. 

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is a worldwide fundraising and awareness effort, the largest grassroots fundraising program benefiting Special Olympics. 

Each year, more than 3,000 officers from Buffalo to Long Island carry the "Flame of Hope" in 13 races. The Suffolk and Nassau county legs were held on Tuesday. All of the runs lead into the State Summer Games held on June 14 in Buffalo. 

Kristina Aquilone, the director of development, said the defunct South Fork run was brought back to life three years ago. Officers from almost every agency participated this year, and the various Police Benevolence Associations donated money, though some agencies, like Shelter Island, also privately fundraise. In fact, Shelter Island raised the most amount of money, $3,000, on Long Island.

This year, the race extended to 14 miles, from the Montauk IGA to the East Hampton Village Emergency Services Building, and included a motorcade for the first time. 

"I think it was a great showing this year," said East Hampton Town Police Lt. AJ McGuire, who helped organize the run. "It's great that we can contribute — a small contribution, really — to Special Olympics." 

"Special Olympics has been near and dear to law enforcement since the mid-1980s," he said. The Torch Run began in Kansas, when a chief who saw a need started the fundraiser in 1981, according to the Special Olympics website. "It's great to see it coming back to the East End and we're happy to be apart of it," Ecker said. 

Hampton and Beavers said they run with the officers to show their appreciation for their support. The money raised helps athletes like them travel throughout the country. Beavers said he's traveled to China during his 17 years of competition.