Executive Leadership
Domingo Zapata
Torch Run DirectorHelena Police Department
Jason Parce
Torch Run Assistant Director-WestKalispell Police Department
Kevin Evans
Assistant Torch Run Director-EastRetired- Yellowstone County Sheriffs Department
Get Involved
Getting involved in the Law Enforcement Torch Run is life and career-changing. Not only do you have the chance to make amazing connections with athletes but you get the opportunity to network with fellow officers in Montana and around the world. Take a look at all the ways you can start to get involved right in your town!
Contact LETR Development Director, Amy Bliss at abliss@somt.org or 1-800-315-4212 to find out more!
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
Participate in the Torch Run in your area by running, biking or horseback
Organize a Torch Run leg in your area
Sell Torch Run T-Shirts
Participate in a special event – Polar Plunge, Tip-a-Cop and many more
Organize a special event in your area
Participate in the Final Leg & Circle of Honor during the Special Olympics Montana State Summer Games
Hand out medals at the local area games or at the State Games
Be the Agency Coordinator for your department
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
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
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
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
