Theodore Bazile, Darrel Matherne (holding torch) and Cindy Faucheaux lead a group of about 40 St. John Parish residents down West Fifth Street in LaPlace as part of the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. The group of avid runners, which included various law enforcement officials and civic leaders, gathered at the Frostop Restaurant on Airline Highway in LaPlace and began a roughly six-mile trek through the streets of LaPlace stopping at several locations along the way. The run made stops at John L. Ory, St. Joan of Arc, Twin Oaks Nursing Home and East St. John Elementary before winding down at East St. John High School. The Law Enforcement Torch Run, which is celebrated nationwide, got its start in 1981 when Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw an urgent need to raise money for and increase awareness of Special Olympics. (Staff photo by Robin Shannon)