Everyday Police Officers encounter some of the worst criminals and lowlifes you can imagine. Our jobs are to prevent them from harming you or your neighbor. We help people get through traumatic moments. Sometimes it can bring you down. I learned over the years that this job, no, this career path that I have chosen, this life that I lead is not all about the bad guys.
In fact, more often than not it is about the heroes in our lives. We are all inspired by people that do special things. I want to tell you about some very special people that do great things. I want to tell you about KY Special Olympics Athletes.
I was tired this morning when the alarm went off. I had worked the night before and really didn't't feel like getting up after only a couple of hours sleep and put on my uniform to go present awards at the opening games at Fairdale High School for Ky Special Olympics. I had promised my boss, Sgt. Amy Brown that I would be there and I always try and keep my promises.
When I arrived I found that I wasn't't the only one that was tired. I wasn't't the only one that had worked the night before. I wasn't't the only one that skipped breakfast (regrettably) to get there on time. What I did find was that I was one of 7 public safety Officers from our community that came out this morning to help 244 Special Olympics Athletes compete in track and field events.
This year was different. This year we were all in uniform. Instead of wearing KY Law Enforcement Torch Run Shirts and running shorts we were there in our work clothes. The torch was run around the track with an Officer and a KY Special Olympic Athlete side by side with the Officers in full uniform. Officer Minerva Virola started the race and passed the torch to a LMCD Officer Scott Mikesell and his athlete who took it around to JCSO Deputy Larry Bush and his athlete who passed it off to LMPD Sergeant Jerry Huckleberry to finish the ceremonial opening. The athletes and their families loved it.
The games got underway and we began our task of awarding ribbons to the winners in the traditional Olympic style where they would stand on raised platforms commensurate with their achievement and we would place the ribbons around their necks.
I cannot tell you how quickly it started getting to me. These wonderful athletes live their lives differently from ours. Their day to day needs do not focus on the petty and insignificant things that our lives tend to narrow down upon. People call them retarded or retards. That is wrong. It has a negative connotation that is not what this is all about. Special Olympics call it "Intellectual Disabilities". They have it; they are not afflicted with it nor are they the victim of it. These athletes are not crippled or disabled, they are physically challenged. Above all they have more heart than most people will ever have.I went there for them, but they gave me so much more. I saw hope, determination, courage, love and commitment. I didn't't hear a single cross word. I didn't't hear anyone bemoan not placing 1st. I didn't't see a poor sport among any of the athletes. I didn't't see any coaches screaming at them do better. I saw honest to god smiles that were contagious as hell. I saw pride in accomplishment. I saw Special Olympics Athletes and their families joyous over these accomplishments. I saw an Officer that I work with on our department smile when I placed a ribbon around his son's neck. I never knew that about him. I had twin athletes ask me if I knew their Uncle Bob who was a police officer on our department. It dawned on me how many lives KY Special Olympics touches. It surprised me how many families in our community have children with special needs.
I have volunteered for years to help raise money at various events, mainly Cops and Lobsters and the Polar Bear Plunge. Last year we raised almost $800,000.00 through out the state to help these wonderful athletes. This year though I witnessed the importance of it for the first time. This year they gave their all for me to see. They thanked me for being there for them. I was high-fived, hugged and kissed all day long by the Special Olympics athletes. I felt pretty bad about grumbling over missing a few hours sleep.
June 6th the games continue in Richmond. See if you can volunteer some of your time to help out. Today we had 7 Officers show up out of 3 departments that have more than 2000 Officers. Let's try and improve those numbers.
Special thanks go out to the 3 Police Officers, 2 Police Sergeants, 1 Corrections Officer and the Sheriff's Deputy for coming out and giving of themselves. The people that participated did not do this for rewards or accolades, but they did it because this is one of the things that Officers do. As part of this community we try and give back to the community also. There were no news cameras there to record the event. There was no story in the paper. It didn't't matter, because I know I speak for everyone when I say that we received far more than we gave.