Knoxville police officer selected to represent Special Olympics Tennessee in Law Enforcement Torch Run

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Knoxville Police Division officer Dean Ray has been chosen to signify Particular Olympics Tennessee in teh Regulation Enforcement Torch Run Closing Leg for the 2023 Berlin Particular Olympics, officers introduced Friday.

Ray, who presently serves as a college useful resource officer, would be the solely officer from Tennessee to take part and one in all solely 125 officers chosen worldwide. Ray has been with the KPD for 25 years, spending time as a patrol officer and Okay-9 handler.

“I’m in shock, it’s an incredible honor to be chosen for the World Video games Torch Run Closing Leg and I’m trying ahead to this nice alternative,” mentioned Ray. To advertise inclusion and provide an opportunity for these athletes to compete in actual sports activities as a part of an precise group…I can’t put a worth on the smile on an athlete’s face throughout Particular Olympic occasions, particularly seeing my daughter take part like everybody else.”

Guardians of the Flame who take part within the occasion carry the Flame of Hope into the opening ceremony of native competitions, and into Particular Olympics State, Provincial, Nationwide, Regional and World Video games.

The occasion known as the Closing Leg as a result of it represents the final leg of Torch Run occasions which have occurred beforehand world wide. “The Torch Run Closing Leg is just not solely a salute to the athletes from across the World who will compete within the Particular Olympics World Summer time Video games, but additionally an honor for the collaborating regulation enforcement officers and Particular Olympics athletes who comprise the Torch Run Closing Leg Workforce,” officers mentioned.

“Dean’s dedication to our Regulation Enforcement Torch Run program, and Particular Olympics usually, made him a straightforward option to signify Tennessee within the Closing Leg Torch Run,” mentioned Jennifer McAfee, Regulation Enforcement Torch Run Director for Particular Olympics Tennessee. “I’m excited for Dean as he will get to be part of such a tremendous occasion.”

Ray grew to become concerned with the Particular Olympics when his daughter Madison grew to become an athlete eight years in the past.

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