Police chief continuing support of Special Olympics

June 14--GREENSBURG -- More than 40 local Special Olympics athletes took a three-day trip to Terre Haute last weekend where they earned a total of 31 medals and numerous ribbons in a variety of sporting events.

They left the Tree City Friday morning with a police escort, but the officer leading the way was providing more than pomp and circumstance in the flashing lights and blaring siren accompanying the bus.

He was with the athletes all the way, in more ways than one.

Carrying the torch

Greensburg Chief of Police Brendan Bridges has attended the annual Special Olympics Summer Games in Terre Haute since 2015.

An estimated 2,700 athletes with disabilities participated this year in events such as bowling, cycling, track & field and volleyball.

While there, Bridges has carried the torch used to light a cauldron during the event's elaborate opening ceremonies and interacted with local athletes as well as others from across the state. In doing so, he's provided support for numerous people with intellectual and/or physical disabilities.

This year, Bridges escorted the team's bus from Greensburg to Terre Haute and stayed to compete in a 400-meter run that included police officers from other departments, Special Olympics athletes, and representatives of athletic apparel retail chain Finish Line.

Finish Line is associated with the Law Enforcement Torch Run, an effort by police agencies to create activities that fund Special Olympics. The torch run, in fact, is the largest "grassroots fundraising" program for Special Olympics in the world, according to soindiana.org, the official website of Special Olympics Indiana.

Bridges began his efforts to help athletes with a "Tip a Cop" program at Pizza King in 2015, and in the time since, the project has grown to include additional officers and activities.

Bridges said he took state-mandated law enforcement administration classes early in his tenure as chief, and during those he met Stephanie Manner, manager of community partnerships with Special Olympics Indiana.

Manner and Bridges worked together to facilitate programs that would benefit local Special Olympics athletes. The police chief then reached out to Decatur County Special Olympics coordinator Jenny Maddux to see how he could help.

"I will never forget that email," Maddux recalled, who said the single note from the chief asking how he could help eventually evolved into continuous support for local people with disabilities -- and the many activities in which they involve themselves.

"I got in contact with Jenny Maddux, and from there I guess you could say it just exploded," Bridges said.

The partnership has included presentations by Bridges and other officers that have helped local athletes learn important life skills. Maddux said the lessons taught by officers have also helped people with disabilities avoid becoming victims of exploitation or crime.

In the police chief the athletes, see a trusted friend and role model.

"I feel like our athletes really look up to Chief Bridges," Maddux said. "He just has a way about him. They really respect him. They really listen to what he has to say."

The feeling is clearly mutual.

Bridges said he admired the hard work of the athletes, many of whom hold jobs and still manage to find time to practice and prepare for athletic competitions throughout the year.

"I don't think everyone realizes that these athletes ... they work just like any of us throughout the day, and they're actually training after they get off work. This is kind of a career for them."

Mutual admiration

Bridges said the athletes' dedication and determination is a source of inspiration for him.

And while on the campus of Indiana State University, he found a way to return the favor by taking part in a run intended to represent inclusion and unite Special Olympics athletes and those who support the cause on the same track.

Bridges joined two athletes and a representative of Finish Line for the "Run Unified Relay" Saturday. The police chief explained that each team member ran 100 meters in the race before handing a baton off to his or her teammates.

Bridges' squad was the first to cross the finish line, besting seven other competitive teams, each of which also had two athletes, a police officer and a Finish Line employee participating in the race. The teams' first place finish netted every member a gold medal.

The police chief said the relay victory was an unexpected surprise that complemented his favorite part of the weekend: the opening ceremonies.

"Being able to carry the torch down the steps again, and then passing that torch on to the other law enforcement officers who lit the cauldron ... that would definitely be my favorite part," Bridges said.

Bridges said he hopes his department's activities with Special Olympics will continue long into the future.

"I'm planning on staying involved until I can retire, if I can," the 16-year GPD veteran said with a laugh. "We're going to continue growing each year."

Future celebration

The next step is set to bring a torch run through Greensburg that will involve officers literally carrying the Special Olympics torch in the Tree City.

Bridges said that is set to take place July 29, though he is still working with Mayor Dan Manus and other city officials to finalize a route. The police chief said he's hoping the day will culminate in a cookout for Special Olympics athletes and their families -- with officers manning the grills.

A formal proclamation celebrating the athletes' involvement is another hope.

Maddux said Bridges' work with local athletes has been inspirational for all involved.

She said athletes, volunteers and others involved with Special Olympics are grateful for his efforts to spread awareness, raise money, and break down barriers.

"He's so humble and down-to-earth, and his ability to reach out to our athletes is really unique," said Maddux. "We're really lucky in our community to have someone like him not only representing our law enforcement, but representing our community as a whole as well."

Maddux said Special Olympics athletes enjoy giving back to their community, and the next opportunity to do so is at the annual Special Olympics spaghetti dinner fundraiser.

At that event, athletes wait tables, wash dishes, fill drinks and interact with guests in the Family Life Center of Greensburg'sFirst Baptist Church. That event runs from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4.

For more information about Decatur County Special Olympics, visit soindecatur.org.

Contact: Brent Brown 812-663-3111 x7056; brent.brown@greensburgdailynews.com

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