Winners Announced

Fifth Annual IACP Torch Run Photo Contest

Winners in Category A: Law enforcement as the guardians of the flame —personnel carrying the torch, interacting with communities, raising funds and awareness of the events, etc.

First Place: Herb Gelb - Torch Run Photographer - Pennsylvania

Second Place: Douglas Holland - Special Olympics Maryland

Third Place: Special Olympics Michigan - Kellie and Tom running

Winners in Category B: Law enforcement in support of the Special Olympics athletes themselves —personnel in interaction with the athlete(s).

First Place: Herb Gelb - Torch Run Photographer - Pennsylvania

Second Place: Terri Sappington - Special Olympics MT - Great Fall, MT

Third Place: Detective Marianna Villaescusa - Palo Alto, CA

These winning photos were selected from a pool of over 225 images submitted by almost 50 Torch Run programs from all over the world. Judges from the IACP and Special Olympics International – including athletes – met to review the entries at IACP Headquarters.

Each of the winning programs will receive a copy of their winning images in poster size for their own display. These images were also on display at the 112 th Annual IACP Conference in Miami, and the 2005 International Law Enforcement Torch Run Conference. The top photos are also scheduled for publication in both Police Chief and Spirit magazines.

Each year this contest is a reminder of the immeasurable benefits this program offers to both the participating officers and the community they serve. Thank you to all the agencies that participated this year – the choices were difficult to make.

In 2002 this international initiative raised more than $20 million for Special Olympics. More than 85,000 law enforcement officers around the world carried the “Flame of Hope” across 35 nations, raising awareness and funds for Special Olympics.

For more information on the Torch Run Program, contact the chair of the IACP Torch Run Committee, Lorne White at oletre@aol.com . Or click here to visit the Special Olympics website.

For more information, contact D. David Paulson , staff liaison, 1-800-THE-IACP Ext. 214.