Wilton law enforcement works to keep the town safe, hold individuals accountable, and ensure justice. But this Friday, May 31, they’ll make people smile when they carry the torch that’s making its way across Connecticut to light the flame that starts the 2024 CT Special Olympic Games this weekend.

Friday marks the 38th time the “Flame of Hope” will pass through Connecticut towns in the Law Enforcement Torch Run to raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics and celebrate its athletes. Wilton’s Police Department is once again doing its part to raise funds by running with the torch through Wilton on Friday morning.

Known as guardians of the flame, more than 97,000 law enforcement officers carry the Special Olympics torch annually, playing a key role supporting the movement for athletes with intellectual disabilities. The flame symbolizes courage and the celebration of diversity uniting communities around the globe.

Since the birth of the Torch Run in 1981, law enforcement officers across the country have raised over $600 million for Special Olympics programs. 

“I’ve always had a connection with [the torch run] because I have family members who are a part of Special Olympics, and it’s a wonderful organization that allows individuals with intellectual disabilities to not only participate in sports but also to get year-round access to health care, prevention services, as well as resources,” Wilton School Resource Officer Elise Ackerman said.

Ackerman has volunteered as an ambassador for the Special Olympics for 10 years. She said that outside of the Torch Run, Wilton police officers support Special Olympics programs with events year-round. One of her favorites is Tip-a-Cop, an event where officers take orders, serve, and buss tables at Cactus Rose in town center, and donate any tip money they raise to support CT Special Olympics programs.

“It not only helps financially but the emotional support and appreciation the athletes have and seeing their smiles is great. Just being able to participate in such a wonderful organization is very heartwarming and at times unexplainable,” Ackerman added.

Wilton Police Department Lt. David Hartman has over 20 years of experience under his belt and describes his time with the Torch Run and Special Olympic Games as some of the best moments of his career.

“When we go to these opening ceremonies and you meet the athletes and see the smiles on their faces, you know that you’re making a positive difference and that’s what it’s all about,” Hartman said. 

He recently traveled to Tanzania to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro with other law enforcement officers to raise money for the Special Olympics. Hartman and his group raised over $160,000 dollars, which is the largest fundraising event ever held for the Special Olympics in Connecticut. 

“It’s great to be able to help and give back and it’s one of the things that the law enforcement here has really taken under our wing, so we carry that flame to help them out … and create the bonds with those with intellectual disabilities and show them we’re here for them, and friends with them,” Hartman added.

On Friday the torch will start in Ridgefield and make its way to Wilton around 10:30 a.m. Torch bearers will travel through Miller-Driscoll School on Wolfpit Rd. before making their way through town center at around 10:45 a.m., and eventually finishing the run on Rte. 7 by taking a left into Town Hall. 

Ackerman and Hartman encourage Wilton residents to show up for the Torch run to cheer on the police officers and the Special Olympic athletes along their run. 

“We’re always looking for support from the community to help us and the people that we’re out there to support. If people want to support the Torch Run, we highly encourage them to come out and stand along the route … we’d love to see them cheer on the athletes and those running,” Hartman said. 

“The Special Olympics transforms a lot of [the athletes] lives and makes them feel important … and they’re actually an inspiration too. Their dedication, their commitment, their overall personalities, it really is just amazing,” Ackerman adds.

For more information on supporting the Torch Run or future events and ways to donate, visit the Special Olympics Connecticut website.