St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office participates in Special Olympics Torch Run

Posted: May 19th, 2017 | Filed under: News Releases

Participants in the 2017 St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics gather on the steps of the St. Bernard Parish Courthouse, along with local dignitaries. Several dozen runners, including St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies, St. Bernard firefighters and Wildlife and Fisheries agents, along with parish Special Olympics participants, took part in this year’s event held May 19.


Sgt. Jessica Gernados, who coordinates the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, center in black, with St. Bernard Parish Special Olympics participants before the start of the run on May 19, 2017.

Sgt. Jessica Gernados, who coordinates the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, holds the torch while running with St. Bernard Parish Special Olympics participants on May 19, 2017.

Runners during the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics held May 19 along Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette. The run started near the St. Bernard Parish Courthouse on St. Bernard Highway and disbanded near Sidney Torres Park.

St. Bernard Parish Fire Chief Thomas Stone shows off his Special Olympics “Guardians of the Flame” t-shirt prior to the start of the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics held in Chalmette on May 19, 2017.

Brynn Plaiscia gives Col. Chad Clark a hug prior to the start of the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics held in Chalmette on May 19, 2017.

Sgt. Jessica Gernados, who coordinates the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, left, with St. Bernard Parish Fire Chief Thomas Stone, center, and Col. Chad Clark, right.

Adam Jones enjoys a burger at Torres Park following the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics held in Chalmette on May 19, 2017.

Brynn Plaiscia, center, with her parents, Agent Michael Plaiscia, left, and Kelli Plaiscia, following the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics held in Chalmette on May 19, 2017.

B.J. Schultz and his mom, Donna Schultz, enjoy lunch at Torres Park following the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics held in Chalmette on May 19, 2017.

Jordan Mahler takes a break in Torres Park following the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics held in Chalmette on May 19, 2017.

Capt. Brian Clark, left, and Cpl. Shane Lulei, both of the Sheriff’s Office Marine Division, man the barbecue pit during a celebration in Torres Park following the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics held in Chalmette on May 19, 2017.

St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies, along with St. Bernard firefighters and state and federal Wildlife and Fisheries agents and St. Bernard Parish Special Olympics participants, took part in the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics on Friday, May 19, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Sgt. Jessica Gernados, who coordinates the run for the Sheriff’s Office, said several dozen people participated in this year’s event. Gernados and several other participants took turns carrying the “Flame of Hope” for Special Olympics Louisiana through the parish during the run which began around 10 a.m. near the St. Bernard Parish Courthouse in Chalmette.

Following the mile-long run along Judge Perez Drive, Sheriff Pohlmann said, participants met near the pavilion on the Dr. Meraux Boulevard side of Sidney Torres Park where they enjoyed food and refreshments.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is an international series of torch relays, run by law enforcement officers leading up to the state or nation’s Special Olympics Summer Games. The event, which has been celebrated for 33 years, brings together more than 2,000 law enforcement officers who take part statewide each year.

The Louisiana State Summer Games will be held May 19 through 21 on the campus of Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond.