On Thursday, June 12, Chief Cecilia Ashe and other Milford Police Department officers ran in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Delaware. Their leg of the race took place at Milford Ponds and S. Dupont Boulevard.
Drivers experienced some delays as the officers carried the torch toward Harrington. The Torch Run began on Wednesday, June 10 with two legs. Upstate, the leg began at the New Castle Police Department and traveled to Wilmington Police Department for a ceremony. After the ceremony, officers carried the torch along Kirkwood Highway to Delaware State Police Troop 6. Downstate, the run began at Fenwick Island and traveled to the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand for a ceremony. After the ceremony, officers completed a one-mile run to Grove Park.
On Thursday, two torch legs were held downstate with one leaving Delmar Police Department and the other the Georgetown Circle, both heading out before 7 AM. The two legs united in Harrington then continue to Dover for a 1:45 PM ceremony on Legislative Mall. Upstate, a run departed from Middletown Police Department and will arrive on Legislative Mall for the ceremony. Law enforcement officers, Special Olympics athletes and state legislators are invited to attend.
On Friday, the torch will leave the Newark Shopping Center at 2:30 PM and complete its journey on the final leg at the University of Delaware Bob Carpenter Center. The 2026 Summer Games Opening Ceremony will begin at approximately 4 PM.
This is the 40th Annual Statewide Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Delaware. It brings together 600 members of law enforcement from across the state to carry the Flame of Hope in honor of the athletes. Since its inception, the Torch Run has raised over $13 million to support year-round
sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is more than a relay race as it is a symbol of hope, inclusion and community. Officers from departments across the state come together to honor the strength and determination of Special Olympics athletes while helping ensure that Delaware athletes continue to enjoy opportunities to grow in skill, confidence and friendship. Delaware offers year-round training and competition in 16 sports, supported by a compassionate community of volunteers, coaches and sponsors. Programs like the Torch Run help make these experiences possible for thousands of athletes statewide.
