Special thanks

The afterglow of the Special Olympics national games is mighty pleasant for Lincoln.  This has been the City’s finest moment in my recollection, and I am glad we could be a part of it.

Capt. Brian Jackson managed LPD’s official role in the games, but the volunteer effort was huge part of the story.  Over 85 Lincoln police employees volunteered for the Special Olympics.  We had a few people who took the entire week off on vacation so they could donate their time and work through the games.  It is impossible for me to thank them each individually in this post, but they all deserve props. 

I would like to take a moment, though, to express my thanks to two people in particular, both long time advocates, cheerleaders, and fundraisers for Special Olympics.  They would be the first to pass the credit along, so rather than being embarrassed by this, they can just consider themselves as representatives of all the other volunteers, too.

Retired Sgt. Jerry Thraen coordinated logistics for the 2010 games.  He did a phenomenal job, recruiting and scheduling scores of volunteers from dozens of law enforcement agencies to cover each venue and make sure any safety and security needs were handled.  He also handled transportation and other logistics for the games. Jerry got many deputies, officers, and troopers—both active duty and retired—involved in a memorable week of service that they will not soon forget.  Jerry has been involved in Special Olympics on the local, national and international scene, for twenty five years.

Sgt. Jeri Roeder coordinated the Torch Run for the 2010 games, a major undertaking.  The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest grassroots fundraising effort for the Special Olympics, and Jeri did a great job spearheading the multi-state final leg for the national games.  She coordinated the runners, the althletes, the schedules, the routes, the support vehicles and personnel, the community events, and the media relations and publicity for the Torch Run.  She has been a tireless, dedicated worker for Special Olympics for many years through all sorts of clever promotions—Tip a Cop, Cop on Top, Cops n‘ Lobsters, Polar Plunge, to name a few.

Now there’s a couple of tired cops for you, recuperating from the capstone experience of a multi-year effort for an event on the national stage.

Jerry, Jeri, my hat is off to the two of you, and everyone else who made this such an incredible event for Lincoln and for the athletes and their families!