Volunteer Leadership Announced for the 2012 North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Announced

Attorney General Roy Cooper will continue to serve as the Honorary North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run Director in 2012; a role he has held for the past six years.  In this position, Attorney General Cooper works as an advocate for the Torch Run, lending support and assistance throughout the year. 

Retired Det. William Frick of the Chapel Hill Police Department returns to serve as the Director for the North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run (NCLETR).  In this important volunteer role Frick will lead the Torch Run efforts across the state by encouraging participation by law enforcement agencies and serving as a resource.  Returning for a second year as Co-Associate Directors of the NCLETR are Capt. Thurman Whisnant of the Hickory Police Department and Special Agent Karen Morrow of the State Bureau of Investigation.   Morrow and Whisnant’s duties include assisting Frick with his duties to increase Torch Run participation and to advise current participants on fundraising activities. 

 Members of the 2012 NCLETR Committee are:

  • Major John Diggs – Charlotte –Mecklenburg Police Department
  • Det. Keith Jones – Guilford County Sheriff’s Office
  • Lt. Charles Lee – State Highway Patrol
  • Sgt. Lester Lowe – Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office
  • Det. Claudia Morgan – Winston Salem Police Department
  • Sgt. Tommy Newman – Raleigh Police Department
  • Dennis Mecum – Department of Corrections
  • Asst. Director Ken Pike – NC Alcohol Law Enforcement
  • Officer Edwin Simpson – Pender Correctional Institution
  • Officer Phil Smith – Chapel hill Police Department
  • Capt. Rob Williams – Greenville Police Department

The North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run Committee, which has set a goal of raising $1 million for Special Olympics NC, is responsible for managing, promoting, planning, and coordinating NCLETR activities throughout the state in order to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics North Carolina.  Any member of a law enforcement or corrections agency, active or retired, sworn or non-sworn, may be a member of the NCLETR Committee.  The term of service is two years with no term limit.  Membership is voluntary and members may serve as long as they are qualified to do so.  Committee members are appointed by theTorch Run Director.

The Torch Run committee is guided by a set of procedures.