Del. police captains to represent U.S. at Special Olympics Games

NEWARK - Join Special Olympics, see the world.

Delaware State Police Capts. Danny Hall and Pete Sawyer will represent Delaware and the United States at the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria this month.

Capt. Hall, a Smyrna resident, will oversee a team taking part in the Final Leg Torch Run at the Games. The 10-member squad will include four Americans and six other teammates from throughout the world, including an Olympic-qualifying Kenyan Runner.

Capt. Sawyer, of Smyrna, is tasked with running the torch for three to four miles daily through various towns for two weeks, promoting the Special Olympics cause every stop of the way.

The Winter Games from March 14-25 in Graz, Ramsau and Schladming, Austria. Three athletes from Newark and one from Wilmington will participate.

For Capt. Hall, "Next to my family, my greatest joy is being involved in Special Olympics."

Since beginning with the State Police in January 1990, Capt. Hall has served a multitude of volunteer roles with Special Olympics -coach, Unified partner, mentor and member of many committees.

"After being involved in Special Olympics Delaware for the past 27 years, part of my job responsibility has grown to protect and serve those with intellectual disabilities and do everything in my power to change those with negative views on those who are disabled," Capt. Hall said.

"I am proud to carry the ?Flame of Hope' that all people with intellectual disabilities will be treated equally and given every opportunity available to have success.

"I know with other law enforcement officers around the world this dream is becoming a reality."

While on his first trip to Europe, Capt. Hall looks forward to "bringing awareness of special needs people" onto a worldwide stage of participants.

Law enforcement officers from 24 countries will take part.

"My fellow law enforcement officers and I are constantly being thanked for everything we do to support Special Olympics; however I believe that we are the ones that should be thanking Special Olympics for allowing us to be part of the organization," Capt. Sawyer said.

"I have learned many lessons from the many athletes I have met about determination, doing my best, and being thankful for what I am able to accomplish.

"The many athletes I have met have been a source of inspiration and I am thankful for their friendship."

Staff writer Craig Anderson can be reached at 741-8296 or canderson@newszap.com.