By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
With the humidity climbing and the slight breeze trickling to a stop, Bucyrus Police Chief Dave Koepke rounded the corner of Perry and Walnut streets, his tennis shoes pounding the pavement and a lit torch held high.
He was trailed by three other law enforcement officers, including Bucyrus Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol Commander Scott Rike, as they ran the Bucyrus leg of the 30th annual Ohio Law Enforcement Special Olympics Torch Run. The four runners cut into Kroger’s parking lot and raced up to the sidewalk where bottles of water – and individuals from the Crawford County Board of Developmental Disabilities – awaited them. It was then that Koepke handed over the torch, sweaty, breathless, but beaming with pride.
“Exhilarating,” Koepke said about carrying the torch. “What made it most special was arriving here with these guys,” Koepke said, gesturing towards the individuals who play in Crawford County Board of Developmental Disabilities sports teams. “These guys here are the champs of Bucyrus. It’s an honor to deliver the torch to these guys.”
Koepke also jokingly said that the local teams were winning championships before the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Rike has participated in the Torch Run for five or six years. Though he usually works the night shift, he was lucky enough to be on the day shift Thursday.
“It’s a fantastic thing,” Rike said. “I’ve ran it down in Columbus where the Special Olympics just mean so much to these people, the smiles on their face. They love law enforcement participation; it’s just rewarding. I can’t think of a better cause.”
Jim Plasencia stood on the sidewalk, eagerly looking toward Perry Street for the small parade that would soon come through.
“It’s fun. It’s helpful for us,” Plasencia said about the Torch Run. “I’m proud that they come here. I like to see the torch come through Crawford County; hopefully, people come to see it.”
Plasencia has competed at the Ohio Special Olympics before, but he and other local athletes will not be making it down to Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium this year – they weren’t able to raise enough funds.
“There’s too much cost,” Plasencia said. “I wish that we could go, but we can’t.”
Included in the individuals and teams that are not making the trip down to Columbus is CCBDD’s first-ever soccer team, which went undefeated in its inaugural season.
“I think that anytime that anyone could support Special Olympics and the idea that individuals with developmental disabilities or cognitive disabilities are supported,” said Coach Ron Shirkey. “It’s pretty awesome to see. If you’re ever down in Columbus for opening ceremonies and how many officers come out and show their moral support, it’s pretty amazing.”
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