Oregon Police Agencies Participate in Special Olympics Torch Run (VIDEO)

The torch runners passed through Salem Wednesday.

Photo and video by Jerry Freeman Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem Police officers joined other law enforcement agencies from the local area for the "Flame of Hope" annual Law Enforcement Torch Run June 3rd.

Officers joined state troopers and country deputies in running the torch over the twelve-mile course that wound through the Mid-Willamette Valley.

Salem Police officers received the torch from members of the Marion County Sheriff's Office at the Sunnyside/Turner Exit on Interstate 5 and ran the torch up Commercial Street, stopping at the Salem Civic Center for a brief ceremony.

After that, the torch runners continued through downtown Salem, across the Marion Street Bridge and north on Wallace Road, where they passed the torch to members of the Oregon State Police.

More than 200 officers from across Oregon are participating in this event that began in Brookings, and will eventually end at the opening ceremonies for the Special Olympics at Mt Hood Community College on June 6th.

Among the runners from the Salem Police Department again this year was Officer Brian Frazzini.

Brian Frazzini came to the Salem Police Department from the Oregon State Police in 2004, and is on the State Executive Council for the Special Olympics.

He is the State Relay Coordinator for Oregon, and has been participating in the Torch Run for the past seven years in addition to other Special Olympics fundraisers such as Tip A Cop, Harley Davidson Motorcycle Raffles, Motorcycle Torch Ride and the Polar Plunge where officers recruit sponsors, then jump in the frigid waters of the Deschutes or Columbia River, all for the benefit of Special Olympics.

Officer Frazzini's commitment to raising funds to support the Special Olympics is made stronger every year he says, when he sees amazing people overcome their disabilities and perform incredible feats of athletics during the competition.

He talks about "outstanding competitors" during the games and how much he enjoys hanging medals around their necks after hard-earned victories.

Another local law enforcement in this year's event is Patrol Sergeant Dale Young with Oregon State Police. He has taken over the contact role for OSP in the event and handles the leg of the run where the torch is handed off to representatives of the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

When asked why he is so active in this cause, Officer Frazzini said "Helping provide these athletes with these opportunities really makes a guy feel like he's making a positive impact on his community. We see too much of the negative side of things....These kids' smiles wipe much of that away."

Everybody who participates in these fundraisers does so on their own personal time, but Lt. Dave Okada of Salem Police, who also ran in the torch event, says the amount of personal time that Officer Frazzini dedicates to this worthy cause makes him one of the unsung heroes who operate behind the scenes to make the Special Olympics a reality for hundreds of special athletes.

Special thanks for Vangelis' Chariots of Fire, that is owned or licensed by UMG.

Here is Jerry Freeman's photo essay on the 2009 event:

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