JEFFERSON CITY – The Statewide Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO), founded by the Missouri Police Chiefs Association (MPCA) 26 years ago, recognized the top achievers at the annual Awards Ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 8.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics is the organization’s largest grassroots fundraising program in the state. Special Olympics is law enforcement’s charity of choice, not only in Missouri, but throughout the United States and in 46 countries worldwide.
This LETR Awards Ceremony recognizes individual and department efforts during the 12 month period of Sept. 1, 2010 through Aug. 31, 2011. The ceremony is held in conjunction with the Missouri Police Chiefs Association mid-year conference and serves to also kickoff 2012 efforts. There were over 230 attendees at this year’s ceremony.
The top award given is named after an early Torch Run leader, John Michael Letz. It is the organization’s Unsung Hero Award. The 2011 recipient of the Letz Award was presented to Officer Jeff Cook, with the O’Fallon Police Department. Officer Cook has lead initiatives within his department for the past seven years increasing funds raised year over year. His motivation comes from helping the Special Olympics athletes. He enjoys getting his family involved and interacting with the athletes at Area and State competitions.
Regional awards were presented to the following:
Region 1 award winners: (NW)
Highest Gross Increase – Buchanan County Sheriff’s Dept. with $12,389
Greatest Percentage Increase – Chillicothe Police Dept. with 458%
Outstanding Agency of the Year in Region 1 – Daviess County Sheriff’s Dept. (Sheriff Becerra)
Outstanding Unsung Hero in Region 1 – Carrie Henggeler, WRDCC
Region 2 award winners: (KC Metro)
Highest Gross Increase – Lee’s Summit Police Dept. with $37,179
Greatest Percentage Increase – North Kansas City Police Dept. with 1,703%
Outstanding Agency of the year in Region 2 – Lee’s Summit Police Dept. (Chief Piccinini)
Outstanding Unsung Hero in Region 2 – Brian Wilson, Lee’s Summit Police Dept.
Region 3 award winners: (SW)
Highest Gross Increase – Carthage Police Dept. with $2,053
Greatest Percentage Increase – Carterville Police Dept. with 91%
Outstanding Agency of the Year in Region 3 – Joplin Police Dept. (Chief Roberts)
Outstanding Unsung Hero in Region 3 – Dan Haskins, Joplin Police Dept.
Region 4 award winners: (NE)
Highest Gross Increase – MSHP Troop B with $6,432
Outstanding Agency of the Year in Region 4 – MSHP Troop B (Cindy Anders)
Outstanding Unsung Hero in Region 4 – Cindy Anders, MSHP Troop B
Region 5 award winners: (central)
Highest Gross Increase – Osage Beach Police Dept. with $46,023
Greatest Percentage Increase – Missouri National Guard with 334%
Outstanding Agency of the Year in Region 5 – Missouri National Guard (Sgt. Karmen Walling)
Outstanding Unsung Hero in Region 5 – Cyndi McLane, Columbia Police Dept.
Region 6 award winners: (south central)
Highest Gross Increase – Laclede County Sheriff’s Dept. with $2,290
Outstanding Agency of the Year in Region 6 – Rolla Police Dept. (Jason Smith)
Outstanding Unsung Hero in Region 6 – Rick Williams, Rolla Police Dept.
Region 7 award winners: (south central)
Highest Gross Increase – MSHP Troop G with $2,294
Greatest Percentage Increase – MSHP Troop G with 77%
Outstanding Agency of the Year in Region 7 – MSHP Troop G (Lalah Gregory)
Outstanding Unsung Hero in Region 7 – Lalah Gregory, MSHP Troop G
Region 8 award winners: (St. Louis Metro)
Highest Gross Increase – St. Louis County Police Dept. with $170,834
Greatest Percentage Increase – Washington University Police Dept. with 466%
Outstanding Agency of the Year in Region 8 – Lake St. Louis Police Dept. (Susie Ochs)
Outstanding Unsung Hero in Region 8 – Mark Koeller, St. Louis County Police Dept.
Region 9 award winners: (SE)
Highest Gross Increase – Scott City Police Dept. with $2,628
Greatest Percentage Increase – Sikeston Dept. of Public Safety with 52%
Outstanding Agency of the Year in Region 9 – Scott City Police Dept. (Kyle Feldmann)
Outstanding Unsung Hero in Region 9 – Shane Washburn, Sikeston Dept. of Public Safety
According to Special Olympics, their organization wouldn’t be what it is today without the support of thousands of law enforcement.
“We are happy to recognize our law enforcement’s efforts. These awards are hardly appropriate for the huge difference law enforcement makes for our program. Every day somewhere in Missouri a Special Olympics athlete is training and competing. At the same time, somewhere there is a law enforcement officer raising funds or awareness for SOMO. They do this by hosting fundraising events, recruiting a sponsor, or a volunteer. Most importantly, they are helping to create communities of acceptance for our athletes.” says Susan Stegeman, Chief Development Officer for SOMO.
Shop’n Save is the Presenting Sponsor of Missouri’s Torch Run, providing year-round fundraising assistance. Missouri’s LETR celebrates 26 years of success, currently ranking #7 in the world.
SOMO is a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. More than 15,000 athletes participate in 21 Olympic-type sports throughout the state. Special Olympics provides athletes with continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with other athletes, their families, and the community.
For more information, visit www.somo.org
