“FLAME OF HOPE TORCH” ARRIVES IN DANVILLE
On June 7th, 2005, just before noon, law enforcement officers led by Lt. Ricky Walker (Martinsville PD) passed the Torch for Special Olympics to officers from Danville. These officers would in turn carry the torch thirty-six and half miles on Rt. 29 North to the Campbell County and Lynchburg agencies awaiting its arrival on midday June 8th.
As the fog lifted at 7:00 am on the morning of the 8th, Sheriff James E. Dooley (Danville Sheriff’s Office) started the thirty-six mile journey along with law enforcement officers of the Danville Police Department, Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police and other EMS personnel to the Campbell County line. They arrived approximately six hours later to pass the torch, which would begin yet another segment of the journey to Richmond.
The VA Torch Run (VALETR) is a 2,000 mile, 8 day torch relay to pass the Special Olympics “Flame of Hope” across Virginia. Since its inception, the Virginia Law Enforcement Torch Run has contributed more than $5.1 million dollars to Special Olympics athletes in Virginia. Sheriff Dooley was quoted after passing the torch to Campbell County, “We are proud to be part of the Special Olympics”.
