For Special Olympics Massachusetts

The Law Enforcement Torch Run^® (LETR) is a year-round fundraising and awareness building program, designed to allow members of the law enforcement community the opportunity to support Special Olympics athletes who live, work and compete in their local communities.

Since 1981, when Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw an urgent need to increase awareness of Special Olympics, members of law enforcement have been bestowed the honor and responsibility of being the Guardians of the Flame^®.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR), for nearly fifteen years, has been a leader in grassroots fundraising for Special Olympics Massachusetts, raising over $735,000 in 2019 and over $400,000 since the start of the pandemic. More than that, LETR is a bedrock in community-building, and vital to bringing Special Olympics and inclusion to every city, town, and neighborhood in the Commonwealth. To continue this important work, we are reliant on individual agencies and LETR community members who have always been indispensable in driving forward our mission and growing our impact

Leadership Council

The LETR program is structured in a way that allows law enforcement and Special Olympics Massachusetts to work as true partners in advancing the cause. To accomplish this, a leadership council comprised of law enforcement officials from a cross section of departments across the state are tasked with managing the growth of the program and overall strategic vision. If you are interested in joining our council, please reach out TorchRun@SpecialOlympicsMA.org

Co-Director — CHIEF JIM DIGIANVITTORIO                                                     Co-Director — CHIEF (ret.) RICHARD PIERCE

• Bristol County
  • Lenny Coppenrath, Massachusetts State Police
  • Kristine Crosman, North Attleboro Police Department
  • Larry Crossman, (ret.) Mansfield Police Department
• Berkshires County
  • John Bassi, Pittsfield Police Department
• Cape Cod
  • Kevin Considine, Harwich Police Department
• Essex County
  • Thomas Griffin, Peabody Police Department
• Middlesex/Worcester County
  • John Voto, Tewksbury Police Department
  • Andrew Larose, Marlborough Police Department
  • John Stackhouse, Acton Police Department
  • Larry LJ Jedrey, Everett Police Department
• Suffolk/Norfolk County
  • Robert Bilbo, United States Coast Guard
  • Kevin Christopher, Boston College Police Department
  • Dana Delorenzo, Massachusetts Bay Transport Authority
• Springfield County
  • Erica Ireland, West Springfield Police Department
  • John Evon, Hampden County Sheriff’s Office

How Can You Get Involved

It’s easy to get involved in the LETR program. You can organize your own event, or be a part of one that a fellow officer is organizing. Here are a few examples of some of the most popular LETR events:

• TIP-A-COP^®
• COPS-ON-TOP^®
• CRUISER CONVOY
• 5K ROAD RACES
• POLAR PLUNGE^®
• TORCH RUNS
• MORE

Check out all Upcoming LETR events here

Interested in hosting your own event?

All events, new and existing need to be approved by the LETR Executive Council. Please fill out and submit an Event Proposal Form below.

Application for Fundraising Events