A dedicated group of law enforcement officials, civic leaders and other St. John the Baptist Parish residents took to the streets of LaPlace Friday morning to take part in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. The group gathered in the parking lot of the old Airline Motors Restaurant and headed west down Airline Highway to Main Street, then along West Fifth Street to Hemlock Street and back to Airline Highway. The run concluded at East St. John High School in Reserve. The Law Enforcement Torch Run, which is celebrated nationwide, got its start in 1981 when Wichita, Kan., Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw an urgent need to raise money for and increase awareness of Special Olympics. The Louisiana run coincided with the kickoff of the state’s edition of the games. (Staff photo by Robin Shannon)