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It was the second year that officers from Duke took part in the annual event.

“It’s a great way to show how important it is to be inclusive,” said Sgt. Billie Weaver-Reaves, who coordinated the department’s involvement with both the torch run, and the Special Olympics of North Carolina’s annual held each February. “The more people we have, the more awareness we can spread.”

The run, which featured roughly 100 law enforcement officers from a range of departments, began at Carter-Finley Stadium and wound through west Raleigh before finishing downtown in front of the North Carolina State Capitol.

It was the final leg of the , which had begun in May and covered roughly 2,000 miles and wound through several parts of North Carolina. Law enforcement officers from across the state took part in the run.

After the final leg was completed, the torches were used to light the cauldron later that day at the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics of North Carolina’s Summer Games. The games were held in Cary and Holly Springs June 2-4.

“We wanted to take part in it because it’s extremely important to include everyone in the community, no matter who you are,” said Lt. Whitney McKoy. “People who have intellectual disabilities, men, women, Black, blue, it doesn’t matter. It’s important that the community sees that the police department works for everybody. And when we hold that torch, it’s a way to show that we all fit in, we’re all included.”

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