November 28, 2012
By Oscar Solis

[Indianapolis, IN] – On Nov. 7 – 10, New Mexico Law Enforcement Torch Run selected 13 delegates to attend the 2012 International Law Enforcement Torch Run Conference, themed “Raising The Game,” in Indianapolis, IN.

Among the many highlights, the biggest came in the announcement that Law Enforcement Torch Run efforts worldwide raised a total of more than $42 million for Special Olympics—a huge achievement that drew loud applause of appreciation and accomplishment from LETR officers and Special Olympics athletes.

While the conference succeeded in offering many educational and informative sessions for officers to apply back in their state programs, attendees were also treated to an equal amount of inspirational and entertaining presentations by honored guests such as SO Chairman Tim Shriver, Former Professional Baseball Pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers Carl Erksine, and Bobby Plump—the inspiration behind the hit movie “Hoosiers.” However, the real show-stoppers came in the form of the conference’s many remarkable Global Messengers from Indiana: Allison Werne, Brent Bowgren, Heather Himes, Jason Plante, Samuel Fawley, Paul Philhower, and Ken Melvin—who dazzled the hundreds of officers with their passionate and touching presentations.

New Mexico delegates included: NMLETR State Director Michelle Ugalde and Assistant State Director Shawn Archuleta; LETR officers Jenny Dennis (Farmington PD), Misha Montoya (Las Cruces PD), Aaron Glymph (Las Cruces PD), Robert Ochoa (Otero County Prison Facility), Doyle Syling (Alamogordo Public Safety Department, Retired), Gerald Sandoval (Albuquerque PD), Lana Elder (Rio Rancho PD), SONM Athlete Representative Van Pexa and SONM staff members Randy Mascorella, Oscar Solis and Heather Scott.

To learn more about Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, visit your New Mexico chapter website at www.sonm.org.