San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson and retired San Luis Obispo Lieutenant Bill Proll carried the “Flame of Hope” on the Final Leg Torch Run for the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi.
The special Law Enforcement Torch Run is taking place throughout the country each day for about two weeks before the games begin on March 14. Themission of this run is for law enforcement officers to raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics movement.
Sheriff Parkinson is one of 96 law enforcement officers from around the world to be selected for the run. Proll was selected to be one of ten team leaders.
The Sheriff’s Advisory Foundation posted pictures and videos of the event on their Facebook Page.
Sheriff Parkinson spoke at the Special Olympics World Games about why these Olympics are so important to him, “The athletes themselves do way more for me than I do for them. They remind me every day of things like unconditional love, how to overcome challenges, how to support others around you, and how to never give up.”
Both men have been involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics for more than 25 years, according to a press release from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office.
