Carrying the torch for Special Olympics
Special Olympics athlete Ryan Sullivan gets ready to receive the torch from Deputy Gabriel Joling at the finish for the Post Falls portion of the Law Enforcement Torch Run on Tuesday.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
Idaho State Police troopers drive in front as Deputy Gabriel Joling and Special Olympic athletes Ryan Sullivan, Tim Davis and Deputy Sara Knight lead the pack at the start of the Law Enforcement Torch Run followed by Chaplain Program Director John McSwain with KCSO therapy dog, Rocket.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
Special Olympics athlete Jackie Jones gets ready to give fellow athlete Adison Wilson and Deputy Sara Knight a high five at the end of the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run came to Post Falls Tuesday to raise awareness for Special Olympics Idaho.
Pictured:
Jackie Jones, Iris Porter, Lilly Porter, Tim Davis, Rachel Christensen, Deputy Gabriel Joling, David Pannell, Tyren Wetzel, Emily Colgrove, Post Falls Sgt. Makayla Desjarlais, Durant Teague, Anthony Woods, Noah Woods, Ryan Sullivan, Cherie Olson, Kirk Grogen, Adison Wilson, Eran Hale and volunteer Jennifer Porter.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
Special Olympics athletes Adison Wilson and Emily Colgrove hug before the start of the Law Enforcement Torch Run Tuesday morning in Post Falls.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
Special Olympics athlete David Pannell holds a sign cheering on the runners during the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
Also pictured in the vehicle: Volunteer Jennifer Porter and Special Olympics athlete Cherie Olson.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
Special Olympics athlete Rachel Christensen and Rocket, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office service dog, share a moment together before the start of the Law Enforcement Torch Run in Post Falls.
POST FALLS — “Don’t light your hair on fire with the torch.”
That was the advice coordinator Mike Fitch had for law enforcement and Special Olympics athletes participating in the Law Enforcement Torch Run on Tuesday morning.
Athletes and officers stretched, then ran along Grassland Avenue, with Idaho State Police motorcycles leading the way.
The runners carried the Flame of Hope as similar scenes took place at 19 other locations throughout Idaho, leading up to the 2026 Special Olympics USA in Minneapolis.
The games run from June 21 through June 26, featuring 16 different sports.
Kootenai County "Eagles" athletes heading to the games include Jackie Jones and Zach Pugsley for bowling, Adison Wilson for bocce ball and Emily Colgrove for swimming.
Scott Colgrove gave his daughter, Emily, a pep talk before the torch was set in motion.
“Pace yourself. You’ve got to go all the way down,” he said.
Emily said she’s been enjoying the training to get in fighting shape ahead of the swimming competition awaiting her.
“My team is amazing. We stretch every day and swim a lot,” Emily said.
Tim Davis, a power forward on his Special Olympics basketball team, said his height gives him an edge in the sport.
"It’s very fun. My team is going for our fourth title in a row," Davis said. "We’re the team that is usually the best, so it’s a risk because there’s a target on our backs."
Participating agencies for the Torch Run included the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho State Police, Post Falls Police Department, the U.S. Forest Service, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, and the Bureau of Land Management, which either provided runners or supported the event.
Fitch said the runners received instructions to keep together as a herd.
“It’s a pretty slow pace as they’re running holding the torch. It’s about awareness leading up to the summer games,” Fitch said.
Cherie Olson said she was excited to participate in the Torch Run with her fellow Special Olympians.
“I think everybody did a very good job," Olson said. It’s hot, and I’m very proud of our runners today."
But for Olson, the highlight was meeting Rocket, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office therapy K-9.
“I got my picture taken with the dog,” Olson said.
Idaho State Police troopers ride in front as Deputy Gabriel Joling and Special Olympic athletes Ryan Sullivan, Tim Davis, and Deputy Sara Knight lead the pack at the start of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, followed by Chaplain Program Director John McSwain with KCSO therapy dog, Rocket.
Special Olympics athlete Jackie Jones gets ready to give fellow athlete Adison Wilson and Deputy Sara Knight a high five at the end of the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run came to Post Falls on Tuesday to raise awareness for Special Olympics Idaho. Pictured: Jackie Jones, Iris Porter, Lilly Porter, Tim Davis, Rachel Christensen, David Pannell, Tyren Wetzel, Emily Colgrove, Post Falls Sgt. Makayla Desjarlais, Durant Teague, Anthony Woods, Noah Woods, Ryan Sullivan, Cherie Olson, Kirk Grogen, Adison Wilson, Eran Hale and volunteer Jennifer Porter.
Special Olympics athletes Adison Wilson and Emily Colgrove hug before the start of the Law Enforcement Torch Run on Tuesday morning in Post Falls. 
Special Olympics athlete David Pannell holds a sign cheering on the runners during the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Also pictured in the vehicle: Volunteer Jennifer Porter and Special Olympics athlete Cherie Olson.
Special Olympics athlete Rachel Christensen and Rocket, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office service dog, share a moment together before the start of the Law Enforcement Torch Run in Post Falls.