Criminal Justice Agencies Come Together for Duval County's Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics
On Friday, April 4, 2025, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office hosted the Duval County Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics. Jacksonville runners carried the “Flame of Hope” in a one-mile run to the Jacksonville Fairgrounds, where JSO hosted a brief reception for
participants. Following the run, the torch was passed on to law enforcement officials in another county for their event all leading up to the "Flame of Hope" arriving at the Opening Ceremony of Florida's annual State Summer Games later this year.
Criminal justice agencies participating in the fundraising alongside JSO this year included: Atlantic Beach Police Department; FBI – Jacksonville Bureau; Florida Department of Corrections; Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE); Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC); Internal Revenue Service (IRS) – Jacksonville Field Office; Jacksonville Beach Police Department; Naval Criminal Investigative Service – Mayport; Neptune Beach Police Department; North Florida HIDTA Office; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Jacksonville Office; and the U.S. Marshals – Jacksonville Office. Additionally, members from Alive Credit Union donated to the cause and participated in the event.
Each year these agencies help raise money for Special Olympics Florida through the purchase of merchandise in the form of shirts. The funds raised help athletes participate in the Special Olympics Games. This year, Duval County's event raised nearly $4,500 for the cause.
For more information about this event and Special Olympics Florida please go to:
https://specialolympicsflorida.org
*A special thank you to The Jacksonville Fairgrounds, First Place Sports, and Walmart for donating services to help make this event more memorable for participants.