Law enforcement carries Special Olympics torch through Arlington and Marysville

Published 12:14 pm Friday, May 29, 2009

ARLINGTON — They passed the torch and raised money for disabled athletes.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics wound through Arlington and Marysville on Thursday evening on its way to the Washington Special Olympics summer games Saturday and Sunday at Fort Lewis in Tacoma.

Law enforcement officers from across the state participate in the fundraising campaign, which helps sponsor the games.

The running of the torch began in Blaine early Thursday, with law enforcement officers from Skagit County handing off to Arlington Police Department officers along Olympic Avenue by late afternoon.

Arlington Detective Peter Barrett was joined by his wife and children during the first leg of the run through the city.

The Barrett kids, ages 2 to 9, ran as fast as they could on the downtown street, with Arlington Police cars escorting them along.

“At the end of Olympic Avenue, they were done,” Barrett said. “They had a great time.”

Barrett then was joined by five other officers, who took the torch down 67th Avenue NE to the hand-off to Marysville police officers.

Along the way, the policemen took turns jumping into a motor home lent for the event by Roy Robinson Chevrolet for quick breaks and swigs of water. Marysville police motorcycle units with lights flashing cleared the streets and escorted the runners to downtown Marysville.

“It’s a very cool event — a pet charity of ours,” Barrett said. “We all have relatives or know people who have kids with disabilities. So we make it personal.”

For more information about the Special Olympics summer games or how to donate to the athletic event, go to www.sowa.org.

Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427, gfiege@heraldnet.com.