SHELLEY — The first Law Enforcement Torch Run in Shelley started with extra support from Gov. Brad Little, Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke, Mayor Stacy Pascoe, Sen. Julie VanOrden, Rep. Ben Fuhriman and Police Chief Chad Purser, all of whom took time from the Capital for a Day to help launch a new tradition.

Two Special Olympic athletes, Skyler Morgan and Henry Smith, and Shelley Police Officer Henry Workman then ran the torch .75 miles from City Hall down State Street to the finish line at Broulim’s. As part of their participation in the Torch Run, earlier this spring the Shelley Police Department officers also participated in the Bagging for Bucks fundraiser at Broulim’s. In three hours of assisting shoppers, the department raised $13,000 for the local Special Olympics program.

The Torch Run began in 1981 by retired Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon. Since then the participating law enforcement officers have come to be known as the Guardians of the Flame as they assist the local Special Olympic athletes to run the Flame of Hope. The Flame is, “a symbol of courage and celebration of diversity uniting communities around the globe, “ according to their website at https://www.specialolympicsidaho.org/letr-home.

So far this year, 90,000 Flame Guardians have carried the torch over roads and highways around the world, raising over $50 million. Over the last 40 years they have raised almost 900 million dollars worldwide and, in the process, have changed millions of attitudes concerning those with intellectual disabilities and have “lit” the way for acceptance and inclusion of these special athletes.

In the United States, each state decides how to run the torch – and it can be different each year. Last year they ran the torch along a continuous route throughout Idaho. This year they are focusing on reaching rural communities, such as Shelley. Earlier that day they had been in Rigby and after Shelley, they were headed to celebrate athletes in Fort Hall.