The local law enforcement community turned out in force Wednesday for the 30th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.
Runners carried the torch on a 3-mile course along Downtown streets from the Police Memorial Building to the Landing.
The annual run is the culmination of a month-long fundraising drive conducted by the law enforcement community to raise funds for Special Olympics.
Sheriff John Rutherford said this year more than $7,000 was collected locally for the effort.
Rutherford said more than 20 law enforcement agencies were represented in the 3-mile run, including the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; the U.S. Marshals Service; Florida Air National Guard Military Police; the U.S. Coast Guard; Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission; and police officers from Jacksonville, the Beaches and from Camden and St. Marys, Ga.
"It's great to see the local, state and federal support. This event demonstrates our commitment to the communities we serve every day," he said.
Students from the North Florida School of Special Education, ARC Westside and ARC Downtown participated in the 1-mile walk from police headquarters to the Landing.
Local Special Olympians will compete Saturday in the Area 5 Summer Games at Atlantic Coast High School. The 2013 State Summer Games are scheduled May 17-19 at Wide World of Sports in Kissimmee.
For more information about Special Olympics, visit specialolympicsduval.org.
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