On Feb. 2 – 3, 2023, more than 80 New Mexico Law Enforcement Torch Run (NMLETR) agency coordinators from over 30 public safety departments across New Mexico gathered at the Clyde Hotel in Albuquerque for the 2023 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Guardians of the Flame State Conference. The NMLETR state conference was hosted by Bernalillo County Fire Department, featuring the inaugural NMLETR Miners Lamp presentation, the inaugural Conference Torch Run, and a poker/bingo fundraising tournament. 

The state conference training sessions featured two presenters: Retired Albuquerque Police Department Lieutenant Ferris Simmons, and Cynthia Macluskie with the Autism Society of Arizona, who informed and educated our agency coordinators on developing important communication skills and safe engagement with children and adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). Our Be Safe presentation partnered nearly 20 Special Olympics New Mexico athletes with our attending agency coordinators to educate both groups on positive interactions outside of Special Olympics activities between the intellectual and developmental disability population and public safety officers.

The conference concluded with the annual Agency Milestone Dinner and Awards Presentation, where agencies that raised multiple levels of funds last year from their community policing activities were honored and recognized. Four agencies were recipients of our Legend Milestone Award (over $20,000): Las Cruces Police Department, Rio Rancho Police Department, Lea County Sheriff’s Office, and Farmington Police Department. Additional agency milestones included: Gold (over $8,000): Otero County Prison Facility and Bernalillo County Fire Department; Silver (over $4,000): Albuquerque Police Department, Lovington Police Department, IGUA 69, Bosque Farms Police Department, and Valencia County Sheriff’s Office; Bronze (over $1,000): Los Alamos Police Department, Eunice Police Department, New Mexico Probation and Parole- Albuquerque, Santa Fe Police Department, Curry County Sheriff’s Office, NM Probation- Clovis, Hobbs Police Department, Taos County Sheriff’s Office, Belen Police Department, Los Lunas Police Department, Carlsbad Police Department, US Probation, Sandoval County Fire Department, Espanola Police Department, and Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office. 

Special Olympics staff capped the awards presentation by announcing a total of $416,951 raised by law enforcement agencies through various community policing activities.

We want to extend a huge thank you to all of the local sponsors of the 2023 Guardians of the Flame State Conference: ABQ Orthodontics, Admiral Beverage, All-In-Autographs, Amber Care, Brown & Associates, Calvary Church, Cabela’s, Champion Car Wash, Chick-fil-A, Chuze Fitness, Dion’s, Duke City CrossFit, El Pinto, Firehouse Subs, French Funerals, Frontline Coalition, Fully Promoted, Holiday Lanes, Iron Core Electric, Isotopes, Jenell Pagan, MK Consultant, Main Event, Maple Paintbrush, Moody & Sanford Law, My Gym NM, Nusenda Credit Union, Peak Nutrition, Regal Cinema, Renew Med Spa & Cryotherapy, Rio Grande Travel, Rudy’s, Sandia Casino, Sandia Laboratory FCU, Silva Lanes, Spinello DCS, Starbucks, Steelbender, Stixon Labels, The Fitness Superstore, Top Golf, USA Pickleball, Vernon’s, Vintage, Western Crafts, and Zona Rosa.

Thank you to our statewide and year-round sponsors: Albertsons Market, Chili’s Grill & Bar, Centerra, Chavez Grieves Engineering Consultants, Advance Auto Parts, Spyder Ryder of America, Brycon Construction, Old Town Catering Company, Restoration Pizza, and New Mexico True.

On behalf of our New Mexico Law Enforcement Torch Run Executive Committee we would like to congratulate all of our agency coordinators on a remarkable year, and special thanks to our local and state sponsors for helping kick off 2023.