Madison Reporter

MADISON, Wis. – Officers with the Madison Police Department participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Wisconsin. The torch is en route to Whitewater, where hundreds of athletes will compete in the 2024 Summer Games this weekend.

On Wednesday, the torch passed through six cities: Platteville, Belmont, Mineral Point, Dodgeville, Mount Horeb, and Oregon. Officers from local law enforcement agencies, including MPD, carried the torch while running through each community.

“It’s a long day, but it’s so much fun,” said Officer Andrya Coutts with the Madison Police Department. Coutts has been a volunteer with Special Olympics Wisconsin for more than 20 years.

Officers were joined by a special guest in Dodgeville. Charlie is an emotional support dog for the Dodgeville Police Department and works within the city’s school district.

On Thursday, the torch passed through Madison. Officers with MPD, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office and UW-Madison Police Department ran or biked through various parts of the city carrying the torch. The group was escorted by local police motorcycle officers.

“We were honored to get to do this for the athletes,” said MPD Lt. Scott Reitmeier, who was participating in the torch run for the first time.

More than 1,400 athletes will compete in events such as track and field, cornhole, powerlifting, soccer and tennis at the 2024 Summer Games on June 6-8 at UW-Whitewater campus. An Opening Ceremony will take place at 7:15 p.m. Thursday at Perkins Stadium.