NEWS RELEASE
MICHIGAN STATE POLICE
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A Michigan State Police (MSP) trooper is one of eight team leaders selected to help deliver the flame of hope to the opening ceremonies for the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy.
“I have been involved with Special Olympics Michigan and the Law Enforcement Torch Run since joining the MSP in 2016,” said Spl/Tpr. Jacob Lewis, assigned to the Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit.
“My participation quickly turned into a passion. I feel incredibly honored to have been chosen as a guardian of the flame to represent the organization and the MSP on an international stage.”
Starting Feb. 25, law enforcement teams will secure the torch from Athens, Greece and spend eight days running the flame of hope through communities of northern Italy, raising awareness for those with intellectual disabilities.
Trooper Lewis, along with the final leg team and athletes will run the Flame of Hope into Pala Alpitour Stadium on March 8 for the opening ceremonies of the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games.
Throughout the trip, Trooper Lewis will spend time meeting with athletes and colleagues from around the world to share community policing strategies, as well as tactics and educational tools to help decrease victimization of people with intellectual disabilities.
The eight law enforcement teams that make up the final leg, include more than 50 U.S. members of law enforcement and 30 international members, eight of which are Italian officers. Each team also has an athlete runner accompanying them as they run the flame of hope through Italy.
“The MSP has strong ties to the Special Olympics and has built authentic relationships with its amazing athletes over many years,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP.
“I commend Trooper Lewis and all of our members who participate in the fundraisers, races and games year after year.”
In 2024, Law Enforcement Torch Run participants raised more than $2.5 million for Special Olympics Michigan. More than 110,000 law enforcement officers from around the world make up the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which annually raises over $66 million for Special Olympics.
Travel costs for Trooper Lewis’ participation in this event are covered by Special Olympics International.
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