Running for Special Olympics
Published 1:58 pm Saturday, June 8, 2013
Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Deputy J.P. Hopko, left, runs in the annual Virginia Law Enforcement Torch Run on Route 17 on Thursday. With him from the office are Tiffany Bryant and Christina Kearney, both in administration; Smithfield Police Officer Daniel Fordham; IOW Deputy Steven Borst; IOW Sheriff Mark Marshall, carrying the Special Olympics Torch; IOW Maj. James Clarke; and IOW Deputy Donald Edwards. — Submitted | IOW Sheriff’s Department
ISLE OF WIGHT—Sixteen law enforcement officers from Isle of Wight County were on the run Thursday, but not to catch criminals. Instead, they hit the pavement on Route 17 as a way to raise money for Special Olympics in Virginia.
Lt. James Pope and Lt. Julian Evans of the county sheriff’s office helped to organize the department’s participation. Pope said this is the second year of Sheriff Mark Marshall’s administration to run in the Virginia Law Enforcement Torch Run.
“Law enforcement over the years has been in support of Special Olympics,” said Pope. “The Hampton Police Department spearheads this for our region.”
He was contacted by one of the torch run’s representatives and started attending area meetings.
Pope said he was in and out of the running, but Evans went the whole way for their group, which was a little over five miles.
The department raised over $500 through T-shirt sales at $15 each, he added.
Any person or group still wanting to make a contribution can either contact Pope at 357-9188 or directly to Special Olympics.
