On Monday, members of the Gloucester community, Special Olympics athlete Danny Williamson and Gloucester Police Officer Christopher Liacos, participated in the 2025 Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg stop on the steps of the Massachusetts State House.
Danny recently made history as the first-ever Special Olympics athlete appointed to the Law Enforcement Torch Run Leadership Council, helping shape the future of this impactful movement.
Gloucester Police Department Officer Liacos, also a member of the council, marked his third year as a Final Leg runner—exemplifying steadfast dedication to the mission of the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR): raising awareness and funds for the Special Olympics movement.
Since its inception, the LETR has raised more than half a billion dollars and changed millions of attitudes by engaging law enforcement officers worldwide to be champions of acceptance and inclusion.
Members of LETR also carry the Flame of Hope into Special Olympics events at various levels—local, state, national, and international. This symbolic gesture is more than just a tradition; it represents the unwavering spirit of solidarity and support for Special Olympics programs. By engaging in these activities, LETR members play a crucial role in fostering community engagement and encouraging widespread support for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Thank you also to former Middleton Police Chief James DiGianvittorio for presenting me with the Law Enforcement Torch Run Guardians of the Flame badge, as well as, a Special Olympics Brave Commemorative Coin, accepted by my Director of Communications, Jessica Margiotta on my behalf.
The Torch Run's stop at the State House was one of many leading up to the Special Olympics Massachusetts Summer Games, which kicks off tomorrow night at the Harvard Athletic Complex.
To learn more about LETR, visit: www.letr.org.