Become a Guardian of the Flame

Torch Run 2026 Resources

Executive Leadership

EG2_1528

Domingo Zapata

Torch Run Director

Helena Police Department

7755846470591922030

Alicia Bragg

Assistant Torch Run Director - West

Lewis & Clark County Sheriff's Office

Image (4)

Alex Esteves

Assistant Torch Run Director - East

Hill County Sheriffs Office

Get Involved

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® is one of the most rewarding ways to support Special Olympics Montana athletes. From building relationships with athletes to connecting with fellow officers statewide and beyond, your involvement helps create opportunities and advance inclusion. No matter your role, every effort makes a difference. Discover the many ways you can get involved and make an impact in your community.

 

Contact LETR Senior Director, Amy Bliss at abliss@somt.org or (406) 564-2072 to find out more!

Find Your Role

Whether you’re looking to volunteer at an event, raise funds, support athletes, or take on a leadership role within your agency, there are countless ways to contribute. Explore the opportunities below and find the involvement that best fits your interests, schedule, and community.

  • Participate in a Torch Run in your community by running, biking, or riding horseback.
  • Participate in the Final Leg and Circle of Honor during the State Summer Games and State Basketball games.
  • Lead a local LETR initiative by organizing a Torch Run, coordinating merchandise sales, or hosting a fundraiser in your community.
  • Support signature fundraising events such as Polar Plunge®, Tip-A-Cop, raffles, golf tournaments, plane pulls, 5K runs, and other LETR activities.
  • Volunteer at competitions by presenting medals and celebrating athletes at area and state games.
  • Attend the LETR Kickoff Conference to connect with fellow officers, share ideas, and prepare for the year ahead.
  • Represent Montana at the international conference and collaborate with Torch Run members from around the world.
  • Build relationships with athletes by volunteering, attending competitions, and serving as a champion for inclusion in your community.
  • Serve as your agency’s LETR Coordinator and help lead fundraising, awareness, and officer engagement efforts.

Torch Run Awards

International Awards

Each year, the LETR International Executive Council recognizes the commitment and service of individuals and programs. Since 1999, the Montana Torch Run program, officers and athletes have been recognized for their efforts.

Past Awards

2025
• Program Excellence Award – Ruby Level

2024
• Program Excellence Award – Emerald Level

2023
• Program Excellence Award – Sapphire Level
• Jerry Williams – Richards LaMunyon Hall of Fame Award

2022
• Program Excellence Award – Sapphire Level

2021
• Program Excellence Award – Sapphire Level

2018
• Program Excellence Award – Emerald Level

2017
• 1st Place Group Award ICAP Photography Contest
• Program Excellence Award – Emerald Level

2016
• Vivienne Shockley – LETR International Executive Council Athlete Award
• Program Excellence Award – Emerald Level

2015
• LETR International Executive Council Guardian Award
• Program Excellence Award – Emerald Level

2014
• Undersheriff Jason Johnson, Missoula CSO – Richard LaMunyon Hall of Fame Award
• Program Excellence Award – Emerald Level

2013
• Program Excellence Award – Emerald Level

2012
• Lt Jack Allen, Great Falls PD – John Carion Unsung Hero Award
• Isaac Baldry – LETR International Executive Council Athlete Award
• Jason Johnson, Missoula CSO – LETR International Executive Council Distinguished Service Award
• Program Excellence Award – Emerald Level

2011
• Program Excellence Award – Emerald Level

2010
• 4th Highest per Capita Fundraising Program
• Program Excellence Award – Sapphire Level

2009
• 5th Highest per Capita Fundraising Program
• Program Excellence Award – Sapphire Level

2008
• Lt Mike Pfau, Missoula CSO – John Carion Unsung Hero Award
• 4th Highest per Capita Fundraising Program
• Program Excellence Award – Sapphire Level

2007
• 4th Highest per Capita Fundraising Program
• Program Excellence Award – Sapphire Level
• 1st Place IACP Photography Contest
• 3rd Place IACP Photography Contest

2006
• 2nd Highest per Capita Fundraising Program
• Program Excellence Award – Sapphire Level

2005
• 2nd Highest per Capita Fundraising Program
• 2nd Place IACP Photography Contest

2004
• 3rd Highest per Capita Fundraising Program

2003
• 3rd Highest per Capita Fundraising Program
• 5th Largest Increase in Gross Revenue

2002
• 3rd Highest per Capita Fundraising Program

2001
• 5th Highest per Capita Fundraising Program

2000
• 5th Largest Percentage Growth

1999
• Largest Percentage Growth

Unsung Hero

The Hall of Fame and Dave Hedley Unsung Hero Awards were created as a way to recognize outstanding individuals who have significantly contributed to the Montana Torch Run.

The Dave Hedley Unsung Hero Award was created to honor the memory of Dave Hedley, Sanders County Sheriff’s Office and his many contributions to the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Special Olympics Montana.  Inductees for the Dave Hedley Unsung Hero Award may be sponsors, volunteers or law enforcement.

Past Unsung Hero Awards

2026
Alex Esteves – Hill County Sheriff’s Office
Zach Semenza – Cascade County Sheriff’s Office
Troy Eades – Retired Fergus County Sheriff’s Office
Holly Netz – SOMT State Office

2025
Ashlee Stoneburner – West Yellowstone Police Department
Tanner Thompson – Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office
Jon Hargett – SOMT Athlete, Great Falls

2024
Sean Schoenfelder – Helena Police Department
Dani McDonald – Kenny Simpson Nissan
Dan Smith – MPPA
Nickalas Buciuman – US Probation and Parole
Amy Bliss – SOMT State Office

2023
Morgan Kasuske – US Marshals Service
Bob Calhoun – Anaconda Copperheads Coach
Tony Galahan – Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office

2020
Ryan Hardy – Butte Silverbow LEA
Scott Sterland – Montana Law Enforcement Academy

2019
Sheriff Leo Dutton – Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office
Attorney General Tim Fox – Department of Justice
Jerianne Schmidgall – Missoula County Juvenile Detention Facility

2018
Alicia Austin – Montana Highway Patrol
Michael Bruce – Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office
Laramie Stefani – Montana Highway Patrol
Nina Stefani – Glacier Restaurant Group
Jenna Volinkaty – Missoula Police Department

2017
Chief Mike Brady – Missoula Police Department
Marcus Cook – Montana Highway Patrol
Ben Fisher – Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office
Jerry Benge – US Border Patrol

2016
Chris Colgan – Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office
Tim Hornung – US Marshals Service
Shawn Lashway – Helena Police Department
David Wollschlager – US Marshals Service
Gabe Zeiler – Richland County Sheriff’s Office

2015
Anthony Beehler – Montana Highway Patrol
Kevin Evans – Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office
Brian Gootkin – Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office
April Phillips – Sanders County Sheriff’s Office

2014
Art Collins – Montana Highway Patrol
Mark Daniels – KSEN, Shelby MT
Dana, Star & Jamie Darko – Great Falls, MT
Lisa Hunter – Department of Corrections

2013
Mary Armstrong – Big Sky Area
Eva Burman – Dawson County Correctional Facility
Domingo Leveque-Zapata – Helena Police Department
Jason Parce – Kalispell Police Department

2012
Mark Horner – Missoula Police Department
Gordon Schmill – Missoula County Sheriff’s Office
Wayne Ternes – POST
Jeff Whitlow – US Border Patrol

2011
Loren Hochhalter – Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office
Chad Kriskovich – Butte Silverbow LEA
Steve & Diane Proefrock – Cut Bank, MT
Ken Walund – Anaconda Police Department

2010
Dave Hedley – Sanders County Sheriff’s Office
Tina Hoeger – Billings Police Department
Derek Mahlum – Havre Police Department
Tim Mueller – Montana State Prison

2009
Mark Hernandez – Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office
Angela Johnson – Missoula, Montana
Doug Sappington – Great Falls, Montana
Bob Wojciechowski – Cascade County Sheriff’s Office

2008
John Graham – Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office
Bridger Kelch – Whitefish Police Department
Chere’e Miller – US Border Patrol
Jerry Osborne – Flathead Valley
Truman Tolson – Missoula Police Department

2007
Gary Chelgren – CARQUEST Auto Parts – Billings
Gregg Edelen – Butte Silverbow LEA
Chief Lynn Erickson – Glasgow Police Department
John Fosket – Helena Police Department
Marsh Larimore – Penguin Plunge – Kalispell
Terri Sappington – Special Olympics Montana

2006
Teresa Manlove & Kevin Henry – Capital Family Mortgage – Missoula
Duane Chelgren – CARQUEST Auto Parts – Billings
Tawny Gray – LETR Athlete Ambassador
Sherry Gray & Dave O’Hern – Five Valleys Area
Tom Ihde – Richland County Sheriff’s Office
Brian Sommers – Fish, Wildlife & Parks

2005
Judy Gephart – First Interstate Bank of Whitefish
Jeff Jergens – Toole County Sheriff’s Office
Roger Miller – Five Valleys Area Director for SOMT
Michelle O’Neil – Kalispell Police Department
Sheryl Shockley – Yellowstone Valley Area Torch Run Liaison

Hall of Fame Awards

The Hall of Fame Award will acknowledge those in law enforcement that have gone above and beyond in furthering the Torch Run. If you know someone who has made a significant contribution to the success of the Montana Torch Run, please nominate them. Inductees will be announced during the Montana Torch Run Kick-Off Conference.

Past Hall of Fame Winners

2026
Alicia Bragg – Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office

2025
Laramie Stefai – Montana Highway Patrol

2024
Scott Sterland – Retired Department of Corrections

2023
Chris Colgan – Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office

2020
Attorney General Tim Fox – Department of Justice

2019
Jason Parce – Kalispell Police Department

2018
Kevin Evans – Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office

2017
Randy & Megan Cameron – Wheatland County Sheriff’s Office

2016
Mark Hernandez – Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office

2015
Domingo Leveque-Zapata – Helena Police Department

2014
Mark Horner – Missoula Police Department

2013
Tina Hoeger – Billings Police Department

2012
Dave Hedley – Sanders County Sheriff’s Office
Bob Wojciechowski – Cascade County Sheriff’s Office

2011
Chere’e Miller – US Border Patrol

2010
Truman Tolson – Missoula Police Department

2009
Kevin Myhre – Lewistown Police Department

2008
John Fosket – Helena Police Department

2007
Peggy Ash – Bozeman Police Department

2006
Jason Johnson – Missoula County Sheriff’s Office
Michelle O’Neil – Kalispell Police Department

2005
Jack Allen – Great Falls Police Department
Ken Dove – retired Billings Police Department
Jeff Fauque – Glacier County Sheriff’s Office
Grant Holle – retired Lake County Sheriff’s Office
Mike Pfau – Missoula County Sheriff’s Office
Jerry Williams – Montana Law Enforcement Academy

Sponsors