For over 15 years, Officer Sara Knapp of the Shiocton Police Department has been involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI). Beginning her involvement with the LETR shortly after becoming an officer, Knapp has continued to work hard to share the mission of SOWI.

For more than six years, Officer Kurt Wege of the Madison Police Department has demonstrated his dedication to the mission of Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI). Becoming involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) in 2007, Officer Wege took over coordinating his department’s involvement with the movement and has continued in that position ever since. However, his involvement with SOWI does not stop there. Kurt has been a dedicated member of the Madison Polar Plunge Committee since 2007 and remains involved with numerous SOWI events such as attending the State Summer Games in Stevens Point.

Deputy Pete Ehlert of the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office truly believes in the power of Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI). He has planned, promoted and participated in various Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) events throughout the years and argues that the events organized by SOWI are very powerful on both a local and state level, with the ability to dramatically increase publicity and create awarene

Waukesha Chief of Police, Russell Jack, truly believes in the power of Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) and has been involved with the organization for over ten years. Even before beginning his role as Chief of Police, he and the Waukesha Police Department have been continuous supporters of many of the signature Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) events in the Greater Milwaukee Region, including Over the Edge and Tip-A-Cop®.

Officer David Kleinhans of the Eau Claire Police Department embodies a truly dedicated Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) participant. In 1999, Officer Kleinhans began volunteering through the LETR, after which he fell in love with Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) and has continued devoting his time and energy to the organization for over 12 years. Throughout the years he has expanded his involvement with SOWI and contributed more than just his time--his infectious spirit and excitement for the LETR has helped recruit countless officers, friends and family to join in the fun, fulfilling experience.

Deputy Lori Casper of the Dane County Sheriff’s Office has been involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run^® (LETR) for 10 years, but her extensive involvement with Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) doesn’t begin or end there. Casper has volunteered as a coach for basketball, bowling, track and field, basketball skills and bocce for the Oregon Special Olympics agency during that time, in addition to her greatest role, mother of Special Olympics athlete Jake Casper.

Over the past 23 years, Officer Brian Krueger of the Sheboygan Police Department has shown exceptional support of Special Olympics Wisconsin through his involvement with the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR). He has continued to raise awareness and recruit fellow officers so that the movement’s mission will continue for years to come, which made him the perfect candidate to be inducted into the Wisconsin LETR Dale Brunner Hall of Fame in June, 2012.

For Deputy Zak Albrecht, Marinette County Sheriff’s Office and 2012 recipient of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Volunteer of the Year Award, raising awareness and being actively involved in Special Olympics means a great deal. Albrecht has been volunteering with Special Olympics Wisconsin for seven years and has been involved in a wide variety of events to help raise money and awareness for athletes around the state of Wisconsin.

May 13-19, 2012 is National Police Week, an event created after President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15th as “Peace Officer Memorial Day” in 1962 to recognize law enforcement across the country and remember fallen heroes. Special Olympics Wisconsin would like to thank the 1,000 officers throughout the state who not only serve their communities, but help raise funds and awareness of the nearly 10,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities that train and compete in Special Olympics Wisconsin through the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR).

Chief Kurt Heuer of the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department has been volunteering for Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) since 1999. He has been an inspiration to his department and his community to get involved and give back to the athletes in his region through the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR). His hard work and dedication has accomplished so much for the North Central Region in many more ways than consistently being the top fundraiser for the Wisconsin Rapids Polar Plunge.