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Law enforcement officers running for Wisconsin Special Olympics

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Jon Anzalone

ELKHORN — For the 13th consecutive year, Jon Anzalone will get on his bike next month and pedal for the Wisconsin Special Olympics.

Anzalone, a lieutenant at the Elkhorn Police Department, is one of hundreds of law enforcement officers raising money for the state event. Officers, deputies, correctional staff and others will gather in downtown Elkhorn on June 10 run and bike alongside Special Olympics participants, carrying a torch to light the event's cauldron.

"Seeing the joy, interest and determination of the athletes gets you thinking, ‘How could I not devote some time and energy to spend the morning and run with them, bike with them?'" Anzalone said.

Anzalone and Elkhorn Police Chief Joel Christensen are likely to be the ones running the torch halfway to Whitewater, where officers from the Whitewater Police Department will pick up and take the torch to the city.

Once the event gets to Whitewater, runners and bikers will proceed to Watertown, Columbus and Portage. They eventually will meet in Stevens Points with six other groups of runners from around the state, all bringing their own torches.

They won't run from town to town, Anzalone said. Participants are likely driving and stopping at each community to run or bike through the area. They won't all ride from town to town because the final destination is about 166 miles away.

Fundraising is a crucial part of the event, and this year Anzalone pledged to raise $1,000 to support the Special Olympics. The lieutenant said other police departments are selling shirts and getting the word out about raising funds for the event.

Lt. Dave Gerberg of the Walworth County Sheriff's Office pledged to raise $1,000. Erin Stefanik of the Janesville Police Department pledged to raise $500. Traci Tims of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections pledged to raise $100.

"Every little bit helps," Anzalone said.

The Wisconsin Special Olympics are scheduled for June 10 to 12 in Stevens Point.

"They're so appreciate, so thankful," Anzalone said. "I think I probably get more out of it than they do."