Special Olympics New Jersey is grateful for the thousands of law enforcement personnel from all over New Jersey who support our mission through the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR). While dedicated to increasing public awareness for our program, they are also committed to raising funds for our athletes so that we can offer our programs free of charge.
The level of commitment our law enforcement community has made to our athletes can never be measured, but the statewide Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey has been recognized around the world for many years as one of the top grassroots fundraising organizations for Special Olympics. Through year-round fundraising events, the LETR has raised more than $3 million annually, hitting a record high of $4.1 million in 2018!
In addition to fundraising, the Law Enforcement officers volunteer at athlete competitions and events year-round, serving as our ambassadors in local communities.
Special Events
Our Law Enforcement Torch Run community is dedicated to fundraising all year long through local fundraising events in addition to special events such as the Lincoln Tunnel Challenge 5K, the Plane Pull presented by United Airlines, and the Adopt-a-Cop campaign. However, none are more well known than our Polar Bear Plunges and the Annual Torch Run.
Polar Bear Plunges
Every year, thousands of people jump into the icy Atlantic Ocean in the middle of winter. Despite the cold, our Polar Bear Plunges continue to grow in popularity. Over 8,000 participants raised more than $2.89 million in 2023.
Annual Torch Run
The Annual Torch Run is the heart of the Law Enforcement Torch Run movement. Each year, thousands of officers take to the streets of their local communities on 1 of 26 separate routes to help carry the “Flame of Hope” to the Special Olympics New Jersey Summer Games to light the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony. 2023 commemorates 40 years of the New Jersey Law Enforcement Torch Run.
Yearbooks
Law Enforcement Torch Run Leadership
The 47 dedicated members of the State Committee are what drive the continued reach and success of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey.
Chairmen
Chief Robert Belfiore, Director
Port Authority Police Department, Retired
Capt. Robert T. MacFarlane, Executive Deputy Director
William Paterson University Police, Retired
Lt. Lou Hannon, Deputy Director – South
Camden Police Department, Retired
Det. Larry Mays, Deputy Director – Central
Port Authority Police Department, Retired
Capt. James Sepp, Deputy Director – North
Bogota Police Department, Retired
Jason Schubert, Senior Director LETR Initiatives
Special Olympics New Jersey
State Committee
PO Frank Aresta
Port Authority PD
Joe Bardi, Patrolman
William Paterson University PD
Sgt. Chip Bartkowski
Ewing PD, Retired
Mariann Baumbach
PO Port Authority PD, Retired
PO Brian Belfiore
Port Authority PD
Phillip Bellomo
Det. Lt. Paramus PD, Retired
S/Capt. Garth Brown
Ridgefield PD, Retired
Kevin Burke
Maj, NJ State Police, Retired
James Caulfield, Detective
Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office
Lisa Cawley, Lt.
State of NJ Division of Criminal Justice, Retired
Harvey Cohen
Cpl. Howell PD, Retired
Cpl. Lisa DeLena
Warren County Sheriff’s Office
Bob Driscoll
Det. Lt. Port Authority PD, Retired
Gary Evangelista
Sgt. Camden PD, Retired
Mike Failace
Sgt. Lyndhurst PD, Retired
Robert Flanigan
Det., Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Retired
Carlos Goyenechea, Captain
Secaucus PD
PO Meg Hammond
Raritan Twp PD
Beth Kraus
Lt. NJ Dept. of Corrections, Retired
Kevin C. Lyons, Sr.
Det. Long Beach Twp PD, Retired
Frank Mackey
Det. Wayne PD, Retired
Chief Joe Madden – Park Ridge PD
Bruce Mathews
Chief Ranger 1 NJ St. Rangers, Retired
Lt. Pete Mauro
Park Ridge PD
Ms. Lauren Abramson McGuire
John McHugh
Wakefern/ShopRite Corporation
James McKeever
PO Port Authority PD, Retired
Ken Miscia, Jr.
Capt. Montclair PD, Retired
Lt. Chris Neder
Middlesex Co. Sheriff’s Office
Michael Podolak
Det. Lt. Port Authority PD, Retired
Anthony Pulizzano, Patrolman
Upper Saddle River PD
PO Matthew Reeves
Camden PD, Retired
Joe Sarnoski
Capt. Lyndhurst PD, Retired
Det. Todd Smith
Freehold Twp. PD, Retired
Trng. Offcr. Tracey Tift
Monmouth County Sheriff’s Offc.
CBPO Allan Tittermary
US Customs & Border Protection
Glenn Toepert
Capt. Saddle Brook PD, Retired
Vito Vacirca, Detective
Mercer County Sheriff’s Office
PO John Verney
Port Authority PD
Christopher Wagner
Lt. NJ State Police, Retired
Mr. Thomas Zapf
VP Government & Public Affairs
Bill Zika
Lt. Port Authority PD, Retired
Law Enforcement Torch Run Partners
The following generous partners have made a financial and focused commitment to events hosted by the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey.
Contact Us
For information on how to get your local law enforcement community involved, contact us at letr@sonj.org.