Law enforcement officers
pass torch in memorial relay race
By Jenny Jones
Summer
Reporter
The Police and Fire World Games Torch Relay is
an event celebrated across the world, but has only been in the United
States one other time before this year.
Tim Potts, sergeant for the Purdue police department,
said he has always wanted the opportunity to carry a torch and when
he heard that one would be passing through Lafayette, he jumped at
the chance.
Potts will be one of 20 Lafayette law enforcement
officials and fire fighters that will be taking part in this year's
World Police and Fire Games Torch Relay. The torch will arrive in
Lafayette at approximately 1p.m. June 5 on the pedestrian bridge.
Carriers of the torch will proceed to take it through West Lafayette
and Purdue's campus.
With the games never before held in Indiana,
Brian Lowe, technician for the West Lafayette police department, said
this will probably be the only time a game torch ever passes through
Lafayette.
The torch runs mark the beginning of the World
Police and Fire Games. This year the torches will begin in Vancouver,
British Columbia, Quebec City, Tampa Bay, Fla. and San Diego, Calif.
Then they will travel through 72 cities throughout the United States
before collaborating at the site for this year's games in Indianapolis,
Ind.
The torches carried in the run commemorate those
individuals that have lost their lives in the line of duty, symbolizing
the camaraderie between the police and fire departments, Lowe said.
After the torch runs have been completed, more
than 10,000 participants in the games will meet in Indianapolis for
the athletic events.
"It's our big chance to show off," Potts said.
Potts, who will be participating in the 1/2 Marathon
Road Race, has been running ever since he was in high school and said
he tries to run as much as possible.
"I'm just trying to get into shape now," Potts
said.
Other events included in the games are the 40-flight
stair climb, special response team and toughest competitor alive.
