From a small gathering in Kansas to a worldwide movement, the International Law Enforcement Torch Run Conference continues to inspire, connect, and strengthen the LETR family.
For more than four decades, the International Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Conference has brought together law enforcement members, Special Olympics athletes, volunteers, and program leaders from around the world, united by a shared mission and the Flame of Hope.
For some, Conference is an opportunity to reconnect with lifelong friends and exchange ideas that strengthen the movement. For others, attending for the first time provides a new understanding of the worldwide impact of LETR and the important role they play within it.
But to understand what makes Conference so meaningful today, it is worth looking back at where it all began.
From a Small Gathering to a Worldwide Movement
In 1981, Chief Richard LaMunyon and members of the Wichita Police Department launched the first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics in Wichita, Kansas.
Just two years later, approximately 25 law enforcement and Special Olympics representatives gathered in Overland Park, Kansas, for the first LETR Conference.
The purpose of that initial gathering was to discuss the concept of LETR, establish a working partnership between law enforcement and Special Olympics, and explore opportunities to expand the movement.
Chief LaMunyon, who has attended every International LETR Conference since its inception, recalls that while there were differing perspectives on how the partnership should operate, the gathering established a foundation for future discussions and collaboration.
Looking back on the challenges encountered throughout the movement’s growth, Chief LaMunyon offers a perspective that continues to reflect the spirit of LETR.
Some say there have been many obstacles and challenges to get to where we are today, to which I say, We have only faced ‘opportunities’ to make LETR stronger, Special Olympics sturdier and our Special Olympics athletes all-encompassing!
What began as a small gathering has evolved into an international event where members of the LETR family share experiences, celebrate achievements, and discover new opportunities to advance the mission of Special Olympics.
Seeing the Bigger Picture
For Jake Lewis of the Michigan State Police, his first International LETR Conference in Round Rock, Texas, in 2022 provided a moment he will never forget.
“What I remember most was walking into the ballroom and seeing the 1,000+ attendees who were all an integral part of the International mission of Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics,” Lewis recalled.
Seeing so many individuals united by the same mission opened his eyes to the true size and reach of the movement.
“Year after year, I have brought home new ideas and new connections that I have been able to integrate into different aspects of LETR in my state and community.”
For Shawn Byrne, a retired Oklahoma City Police Department Master Sergeant who currently serves as Manager, Digital and Social Engagement for Special Olympics International, attending his first International LETR Conference in Arlington, Virginia, in 2004 sparked an ambition that would become reality five years later.
While listening to Mike Teem speak about the Final Leg Torch Run, Byrne remembers thinking, “I want to be part of that someday.”
In 2009, he had the honor of serving as a Final Leg runner, an experience that exceeded his expectations. Sharing that journey with a Special Olympics athlete roommate left a lasting impression, and many of the friendships he developed through Conference and the Final Leg remain among his closest today.
His experience is a reminder that the connections and inspiration found at Conference can lead to opportunities that extend far beyond the event itself.
The Athletes Are the Reason
For Antonio Williams, whose involvement with Special Olympics and LETR spans more than 35 years, Conference has reinforced something that has remained constant throughout his decades of service.
The athletes are the reason.
But it was the athletes who made the greatest impression.
Through years of coaching, Williams says Special Olympics athletes have taught him more about patience, perseverance, friendship, and courage than he could ever teach them about sports.
“We may carry the Flame of Hope for our athletes, but they carry a flame for us as well. They remind us why we serve.”
That understanding shaped his approach to leadership and strengthened his belief that LETR is about much more than fundraising or carrying the torch. It is about serving as ambassadors, advocates, and partners alongside Special Olympics athletes.
After decades of involvement, Williams reflects on what has mattered most.
“Uniforms come off. Leadership positions change. Awards get placed on shelves. The relationships remain.”
That same commitment to athletes is something Byrne has carried home from Conference year after year. While new fundraising ideas, stronger relationships, and innovative approaches are valuable, he believes one of the most important lessons is ensuring Special Olympics athletes have a voice in shaping the movement.
Most importantly, the conference continually reinforces the importance of athlete leadership and ensuring athletes have a voice and meaningful role in everything we do.
It’s a reminder that the true strength of LETR isn’t measured solely by funds raised or events organized, but by the opportunities created for athletes to lead, participate, and inspire others.
A Message for First-Time Attendees
As members of the LETR family prepare to gather once again, those who have attended Conference for years offer valuable advice to first-time attendees.
For Lewis, Conference provides an opportunity to discover new ideas, establish lasting friendships, and experience the international movement in a way that can strengthen an officer’s commitment for years to come.
Williams encourages first-time attendees to approach the experience with an open mind and an open heart.
“You will learn new ideas, but you will remember the people. You will meet athletes who inspire you and officers from around the world who share the same commitment.”
Byrne encourages attendees to step outside their comfort zones and make the most of every opportunity to connect with others.
“Don’t spend the entire conference with the people you already know. Sit next to someone new during a breakout session, exchange contact information, build relationships, and take plenty of notes.”
The message is simple: come ready to learn, build relationships, and discover new ways to strengthen LETR in your own community.
Carrying the Flame Forward
From approximately 25 individuals gathering in Overland Park in 1983 to the international movement represented at Conference today, the Law Enforcement Torch Run continues to demonstrate what is possible when law enforcement and Special Olympics work together.
As Chief LaMunyon reminds us, this is truly a partnership between LETR, Special Olympics, and the athletes at the heart of the movement.
Each Conference provides an opportunity to strengthen that partnership, build new relationships, and return home with a renewed commitment to the mission.
Whether attending for the first time or returning after decades of service, every member of the LETR family has an opportunity to carry the Flame of Hope forward.
And for those preparing to experience their first International LETR Conference, Chief LaMunyon offers a simple but powerful message:
You are new to the conference, so light your spark so that our Special Olympics athletes may see their future!
