Firefighters, police gather at torch relay

By Jenny Jones
Summer Reporter

Despite a dark sky and morning showers, approximately 20 firefighters and police officers from Tippecanoe County and the Indiana State Police gathered at 1 p.m. Tuesday on the pedestrian bridge for the World Police and Fire Games Torch Relay.

To support the officers, roughly 50 onlookers braved the weather to attend the ceremony. Included in the crowd were West Lafayette Mayor Sonya Margerum, Lafayette mayor Dave Heath and Rep. Sheila Klinker.

"(The relay) gives everyone the opportunity to see (the officers) working out and working hard for Tippecanoe County," Margerum said.

The officers began their run on the bridge and continued into downtown Lafayette, passing the courthouse. They then proceeded around Lafayette and into West Lafayette.

The torch relay marks the beginning of the World Police and Fire Games, which will be held in Indianapolis this year.

Considering the games are a worldwide event, this is the first, and most likely, only time a torch will ever travel through Lafayette.

Heath said, "It's an honor to take part."

Altogether, three torches, which each began at different points, such as Vancouver, San Diego, Tampa and Quebec City, participated in the relay. The torch that passed through Lafayette started in Vancouver. Once the torches have made it through the 72 scheduled cities throughout the United States, they will collaborate June 9 in Indianapolis. All three torches will then be used to light one giant torch, which will serve as the green light, allowing the games to commence.

The torches are said to commemorate the men and women who have lost their lives in the line of duty and those who risk their lives everyday.

Carolyn Harrison, a Lafayette resident said, "I thought (the relay) was quite beautiful."

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