JEFFERSON CITY — The Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) for Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO) will begin May 19 and continue through May 29, 2026, culminating at the 2026 State Summer Games in Kirksville.
Founded 40 years ago by the Missouri Police Chiefs Association (MPCA), the annual event raises funds and awareness for Special Olympics Missouri. This year, more than 1,000 runners representing 121 agencies across the state will complete 34 routes covering nearly 1,000 miles.
The Torch Run will conclude at Stokes Stadium at Truman State University on May 29, when the Flame of Hope is lit during the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 State Summer Games at 7:30 p.m. The Games run May 29–31.
Missouri law enforcement agencies are working to raise more than $1.5 million in 2026 through initiatives including the Polar Plunge®, Torch Run T-shirt sales, the Drive it Home Raffle, and Tip-A-Cop® events.
“They are passionate about raising awareness and funds for SOMO,” said Crystal Schuster, SOMO Sr. Director of Community Development. “Law enforcement has been the largest supporter of the Special Olympics movement worldwide; we are forever grateful.”
For more information, visit www.somo.org/letr or contact Crystal Schuster at cschuster@somo.org or (573) 469-7839.
2026 LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN® ROUTE SCHEDULE
Region 1 – Northwest (6 Routes)
US 71 South from Maryville – May 19 @ 9:00 a.m., Nodaway County Courthouse. Contact: James Runde, Maryville Treatment Center, 660-582-6542
Savannah Route – May 19 @ 12:00 p.m., Messick Park to Andrew County Courthouse Square. Contact: Grant Gillett, sheriff@andrewcountymo.gov
St. Joseph Route – May 19 @ 3:30 p.m., North 22nd St. & Calhoun to the Police Memorial at Civic Center Park. Contact: Jeremy Peters, jpeters@stjosephmo.gov
Chillicothe Route – May 20 @ 9:00 a.m., Simpson Park to Fire Station. Contact: Tom Melte, Chillicothe Correctional Center, 660-646-4032
Gallatin Route – May 20 @ 11:30 a.m., Courthouse around square down Main St. Contact: Larry Adams, Daviess County Sheriff’s Dept., 660-663-2031
Cameron Route – May 20 @ 1:00 p.m., Cameron Police Dept. Contact: Melissa Mauch, melissa.mauch@doc.mo.gov
Region 2 – Kansas City (1 Route)
KC Area Torch Run – May 19 @ 10:00 a.m., Downtown KC. Contact: Amanda Geno, Lee’s Summit PD, 314-724-0957, Amanda.geno@cityofls.net; or Brad Lynn, KCPD, bradley.lynn@kcpd.org
Region 3 – Southwest (5 Routes)
Joplin Route – May 19 @ 8:30 a.m., Joplin PD South Station (712 E. 32nd St., Suite #1). Contact: Jason Barchak, Joplin PD, 417-627-8880
Webb City Route – May 19 @ 9:45 a.m., Old Pizza Hut. Contact: Tabatha Love, Webb City PD, tlove@webbcitypd.org
Jasper County Route – May 19 @ 10:00 a.m. Contact: Sgt. Cady
Carthage Route – May 19 @ 10:30 a.m., Central and Baker. Contact: Aaron Kmick, Carthage PD, a.kmick@carthagemo.gov
Springfield Route – May 26 @ 10:00 a.m. Contact: Lauren Witty, Springfield PD
Region 4 – Northeast (4 Routes)
Kirksville – Final Leg – May 29 (details to come)
Macon Route – May 20 @ 10:00 a.m., OnShore to Sonic (Southbound Hwy 63). Contact: TBA
Moberly Route – May 20 @ 1:00 p.m., Orscheln Farm and Home. Contact: Kayla Purnell, Moberly CC, kayla.purnell@doc.mo.gov
Brookfield Route – May 19 @ 1:00 p.m., Park Baptist Church. Contact: Carrie Melte, Linn County Sheriff’s Dept., carrie.melte@linncosomo.gov
Region 5 – Central (3 Routes)
WERDCC Route – May 28 @ 8:00 a.m., Farber to Vandalia. Contact: Rebecca Raddatz, Rebecca.Raddatz@doc.mo.gov; or Elizabeth Smith, Elizabeth.smith@doc.mo.gov
Jefferson City – Gordon & Sarah Barnes Memorial Route – May 20, 9:30 a.m. meet at 2715 E. McCarty; 10:00 a.m. run ends at the Law Enforcement Memorial at the State Capitol. Contact: Adam Lueckenhoff, JCPD, ALueckenhoff@jeffersoncitymo.gov
Osage Beach Route – May 21 @ 10:00 a.m., OBPD to Hwy KK and back via Osage Beach Pkwy. Contact: Sgt. Travis Morley, OBPD, tmorley@osagebeach.org
Region 6 (1 Route)
Rolla Route – May 20 @ 9:00 a.m. Contact: Tony Lauth, tdlauth@gmail.com; or Jamie McKinnon, MSHP Troop I, jamie.mckinnon@mshp.dps.mo.gov
Region 7 (2 Routes)
Licking to Cabool Route – May 22 @ 9:00 a.m., MO 32 to MO 137. Contact: Misty Perkins, SCCC, 573-674-4470, misty.perkins@doc.mo.gov
Willow Springs/West Plains Route – May 19, Troop G (US-60 Bus.) to Tractor Supply Company; West Plains leg from Heritage Tractor to Dairy Queen. Contact: Eddie Young, Thomas.Young@mshp.dps.mo.gov
Region 8 – St. Louis (10 Routes)
I-70 West – “Jeff Ottenad Route” – May 19, 8:00 a.m. program at Ameristar Casino; 8:30 a.m. run begins; 11:00 a.m. arrives at O’Fallon Schnucks. Contact: Jake Knopfel, O’Fallon PD, jknopfel@ofallon.mo.us
Route 66 J.P. Smith Memorial Run – May 20 @ 8:00 a.m., Eureka into Franklin County via Pacific on Old Route 66. Contact: Jennifer Werges, Eureka PD, jwerges@eureka.mo.us
Jefferson County Route – May 26, Pony Bird to the Courthouse. Contact: Cody Umfress, Byrnes Mill PD, cjumfress@byrnesmill.org
Bowling Green Route – May 29 @ 10:00 a.m., Parade from Courthouse to City Park; 11:00 a.m. Torch Run begins. Contact: Christopher Powell, NECC, Christopher.Powell@doc.mo.gov
US 67 North Route – May 20 @ 6:00 a.m., Madison County line to Jefferson County line. Contact: Chief Jim Bullock, Desloge PD, bullock401dpd@yahoo.com, 573-431-1463
St. Louis City/Central County Route – May 28 @ 9:00 a.m., SLMPD South Patrol. Contact: Jason Flanery, Webster Groves PD, flaneryj@webstergrovesmo.gov; or Chassity Hickman, St. Louis Metro PD, cahickman@slmpd.org
Warren County Route – May 21 @ 9:00 a.m., Wright City High School to Warrenton City Hall. Contact: James Plackemeier, Warrenton PD, james.plackemeier@warrenton-mo.org
North St. Louis County Route – May 21 @ 9:00 a.m., Schnuck’s (Buzz Westfall Center). Contact: John Tindira, jtindira@bridgetonmo.gov; Tammy Swope, tswope@bridgetonmo.gov
Franklin County Route – May 20. Contact: Anthony Davis, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, adavis@franklinmo.gov
Chesterfield Route – May 27. Contact: Celia Saavedra, Chesterfield PD, CSaavedra@chesterfield.mo.us
Region 9 – Southeast (2 Routes)
Cape Girardeau Route – May 26 @ 9:00 a.m., Plants Plus (910 S. Kingshighway) to Banterra Bank. Contact: Johnny Spencer, Cape Girardeau PD, jspencer@cityofcapegirardeau.org
Sikeston Route – May 27 @ 9:00 a.m., Walmart Supercenter (1303 S. Main). Contact: Nason Lane, Sikeston DPS, nlane@sikeston.org
Special Olympics Missouri
Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO) is a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Thousands of athletes participate in 12 Olympic-type sports statewide, gaining opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy through sport.
SOMO proudly returns 85% of every dollar raised directly to program services and is recognized with a Better Business Bureau A+ Charity Accreditation, GuideStar Gold Seal, and Charity Navigator four-star rating.
Learn more at www.somo.org and follow Special Olympics Missouri on social media.