photo by: Contributed

Officer James Browning and Special Olympics Douglas County athlete Skyler McMillin approach the final handoff of the "Flame of Hope" torch Tuesday, May 30, 2023, in Ottawa.

Local law enforcement teamed up Tuesday with area athletes for the traditional “Flame of Hope” torch relay for Special Olympics.

Members of the Lawrence Police Department and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office helped deliver the torch to the Ottawa Police Department as part of the 42nd annual Kansas Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

Officer James Browning and Special Olympics Douglas County athlete Skyler McMillin made the final handoff in Ottawa, which is about 25 miles south of Lawrence.

photo by: Contributed

Officer James Browning and Special Olympics Douglas County athlete Skyler McMillin make the final handoff of the “Flame of Hope” torch Tuesday, May 30, 2023, in Ottawa.

The Douglas County portion of the run began Tuesday morning with the first leg in northwest Lawrence at the Lawrence Police Department and ending at Club Car Wash. Special Olympics athlete Allison Seeman took part in the first leg. Runners later ran through downtown Eudora and met the Baldwin City Police Department for a run around the Baker University campus and downtown Baldwin City before running the last stretch outside of Ottawa to deliver the torch.

From late April through May the “Flame of Hope” travels from all corners of the state before its final destination, which is the State Summer Games this weekend in Maize, where athletes will compete in events including track and field, cycling, soccer and tennis.

photo by: Contributed

The Lawrence Police Department took part Tuesday, May 30, 2023, in the torch relay for Special Olympics.

Law enforcement agencies in Douglas County have participated for several years in the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which lets officers, civilian staff, athletes and the community come together to support athletes in the Special Olympics Kansas mission, which is to provide individuals with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in sports and other programs.