Special Olympics Oklahoma
5/15/2019
Stillwater, OK
Each year the Payne County Sheriff’s Office has had about 10 Deputies volunteer their time to work different events and security during the games.
Every year in May, the first week after Oklahoma State University lets out for summer break, over 5,000 Special Olympics athletes come into Stillwater for North America’s largest Special Olympics Summer Games. With these 5,000 athletes, of course, come coaches, family, and friends. This means well over 10,000 people pouring into Stillwater for a very special week of events.
Each year the Payne County Sheriff’s Office has had about 10 Deputies volunteer their time to work different events and security during the games. At opening ceremonies each year, a group of Deputies also shows up to do the “Parade of Athletes” in which they walk into the arena with the athletes.
Since 2001 the Payne County Sheriff’s Office has received awards each year from the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Special Olympics Oklahoma for fundraising and dedication to Special Olympics. In 2010 Lt. Paul Fox was picked to be the State representative to carry the Torch for Special Olympics National Games in Nebraska. Lt. Fox is also currently the Oklahoma Summer Games Assistant Director.