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Police gather downtown — for a good cause

Kimberly Price, a Jackson County Corrections deputy, leads the runners out of the Ashland Plaza at about 7:15 a.m. for the start of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. They were hoping to reach the Oregon State Police office in Central Point by about 10:30 a.m. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini
June 28, 2024

Special Olympics Torch Run started in Ashland on Friday morning

By Bob Palermini, Ashland.news

The Ashland Plaza was alive with police activity early Friday morning, but no crimes were being committed. Officers from Ashland, Eagle Point, Medford and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department were gathered for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, a fundraiser for Jackson County Special Olympics.

Nationwide more than 97,000 police and sheriffs officers take part in the run supporting local Special Olympics. 

Medford police sergeant Erika Doran coordinated the run and was planning, along with other officers, to complete the 17-mile run Friday. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini

For the Jackson County event, officers, Special Olympics athletes and other supporters were challenged to run 17 miles along Highway 99, starting at the Ashland Plaza and ending at the Central Point Police Department. Local police agencies have raised $6,000 toward their goal of $30,000 for the year.

The run will continue across Oregon finishing at the 2024 Special Olympics Summer Games opening ceremony in Corvallis, July 12.

For more information or to donate, visit support.soor.org/team/587733.

Bob Palermini is a resident of Ashland, where he is a volunteer staff photographer for Ashland.news, as well a board member. Email Palermini at [email protected].

Related story: ‘Guardians of the Flame’ torch run treks 17 miles for Special Olympics (June 28, Rogue Valley Times)

Law enforcement and Special Olympics supporters gathered at the Ashland Plaza around 7 a.m. Friday morning before the start of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini
Special Olympics athletes Connor Williams (left) and Eric Thomas were there to start the run, but both were not sure if they could run the entire 17 miles. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini
Picture of Bert Etling

Bert Etling

Bert Etling is the executive editor of Ashland.news. Email him at [email protected].

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