First mile of Torch Run very dear to Georgetown

GEORGETOWN - A sentimental flame headed north from The Circle shortly after 7 o'clock last Thursday morning.

It was in the hands of Aubrey Spicer, riding in Georgetown Police Department's "Guardians of Georgetown" Polaris.

The first mile of central Sussex County's leg in the 31st Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics was very near and dear to Georgetown. It's the Chad Spicer Memorial Mile.

Aubrey is the 11-year-old daughter of slain Georgetown Police Patrolman Chad Spicer, who was shot and killed in the line of duty in September 2009.

"It's very special to everybody, that his name is on our memorial torch; the Winnie Spence Memorial Torch. He'll be remembered this mile every year," said Greg Nolt, director of Delaware's Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.

Officers from Georgetown and Millsboro police departments were among the several dozen downtstate law enforcement representatives who participated in this leg of the torch run.

Among the participants: Patrolman Katie Quillen, one of 16 officers from the Georgetown Police Department.

And she didn't need a wake-up call. "I just got off night work, actually;

not even a nap," said Patrolman Quillen. "This is extremely special to us especially this year because we are carrying a torch for Chad. It's just the family that we have involved with this, and being able to pull together as a team and show our support and appreciation for everything."

"I've been on the job 10 years and I have done all but one," said Patrolman Quillen.

"Georgetown PD; a really great turnout," said Georgetown Police Chief R.L. Hughes. "I really do appreciate it."

"This is my second year running," said Millsboro Police Department Patrolman Ed Ebke. "I ran last year as a Dewey Beach seasonal. Now, I'm a fulltime offi-cer at Millsboro, doing it again."

Statewide, more than 500 law enforcement officers are taking steps in the three-day event that in its history has raised more than $6 million in support of Special Olympics Delaware. SODE's year-round program provides quality sports training and athletic competition for 4,200 children and adults with intellectual disabilities and/or cognitive delays.

"It's all about Special Olympics. That's a great cause," said Patrolman Ebke. "My cousin is autistic so this means a lot to me. And I think it's a cool thing that we can do as law enforcement to be in the community, especially for the Special Olympics athletes. It's cool. I've met a lot of people on calls and stuff with special needs who didn't know about Special Olympics. So, it's kind of neat that we can raise the awareness."

This year's torch run spanned three days, June 7-9, It covered 160 miles through a series of legs that in Sussex County began in Delmar, Lewes and Georgetown.

The three Sussex County legs united in Harrington, where three torches became one. The downstate leg jogged through Kent County with an afternoon ceremony at Legislative Hall in Dover. It culminated Friday afternoon with a grand entrance at the University of Delaware's Bob Carpenter Center for opening ceremonies for the Special Olympics Summer Games.

"I want to thank you guys for all you do," said Mr. Nolt. "In the history of the torch run we've raised $6.7 million. Last year we raised $693,000, and awareness and inclusion. It's great to see this turnout here in Georgetown today."

News Editor Glenn Rolfe can be reached at grolfe@newszap.com