On Friday morning, law enforcement agencies from across Osceola County came together in a powerful show of support for the Special Olympics Florida athletes during the 2025 Law Enforcement Torch Run. The 2025 Law Enforcement Torch Run not only brings communities together but stands as a powerful reminder that through unity and compassion, the world can be made more inclusive — one mile at a time.
The event kicked off from the Silver Spurs Arena parking lot and finished strong at the Ruby Plaza Boardwalk at Kissimmee Lakefront Park, with participants and spectators alike energized by the spirit of inclusion and empowerment.
Members of the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, along with officers from the St. Cloud Police Department, Kissimmee Police Department, Osceola County Corrections, and the Florida Highway Patrol, joined forces to carry the symbolic “Flame of Hope” through the streets of Kissimmee. Together, they ran not just to raise funds, but to shine a light on a global movement of respect, dignity, and opportunity for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
For more than 42 years, law enforcement officers have proudly served as “Guardians of the Flame,” standing alongside Special Olympics athletes as protectors, advocates, and partners. In Florida, officers from over 300 agencies participate in the 67-county, statewide torch run — a mission designed to empower athletes to reach their full potential and ensure they are included, accepted, and celebrated.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest grassroots fundraising event for Special Olympics Florida, with this year’s statewide campaign aiming to raise $4.5 million. Over 5,000 law enforcement officers carry the torch on a 1,500-mile relay between March 10 and May 16, culminating in the Final Leg where the Flame of Hope will be delivered to the Special Olympics Florida State Summer Games at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports.
The effort is about much more than fundraising — it’s about building a world where all people, regardless of ability, are treated with dignity and respect. Officers from sheriff’s offices, police departments, the Florida Department of Corrections, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the FBI, DEA, U.S. Customs, Air Force Police, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) all take part in this massive movement.
Throughout the run, funds are generated through contributions from individuals and businesses, as well as the sale of the popular Torch Run T-shirts and caps, proudly worn by officers and community supporters alike.
The 2025 Law Enforcement Torch Run not only brings communities together but stands as a powerful reminder that through unity and compassion, the world can be made more inclusive — one mile at a time.
