Special Olympics Manitoba (SOM) has handed out the Rob Plunkett Law Enforcement Torch Run Award.
The honour recognizes a member who has contributed significantly to the development, awareness, and financial success of LETR programs in the province.
This year's winner is former Portage Terriers Captain and now Sergeant Scott Edwards with the Morden Police Service.
"It's not something you think about or it's not why you volunteer and do these types of things," said Edwards.
The former Portage Terrier, much like he would have in his Terrier days when talking about team success, was quick to credit his colleagues in the department.
"A group of us here work with the Law Enforcement Torch Run and support Special Olympics Manitoba. I'm just a part of that team. Like I said, it's not why you do it, but definitely kind of humbling and gracious for the recognition."
Every year, SOM salutes an officer who has made a significant contribution to the development, awareness, and financial success of Law Enforcement Torch Run programs in the province.
"Scott got involved back in 2015," said Melissa Suggitt, Marketing Manager for SOM. "between 2016 and 2020 he helped and was instrumental and then led many of the fundraising initiatives that raised over $100,000 for Special Olympics in his region."
Suggitt described Edwards as a real force.
"He is so kind and dedicated to our athletes and really just wants to make his community a better place. So, there was no question, in our mind, he deserves this award."
The award pays tribute to the legacy of the late Constable Rob Plunkett, who was a strong supporter of the Special Olympics cause in his region.
The relationship between Special O and law enforcement goes back a long way, said Suggitt.
"Torch Run is decades old, and it's really that spirit of community, I mean, of police officers are in our community that are keeping our community safe, So, what better way to introduce our athletes than through them? They've got great connections with especially schools and things like that, so that's makes the runs really successful. And then, just having that driven nature Scott has to increase the awareness. It's indescribable what he's done for the region, and that's not just Morden. That includes the whole region - Altona, Winkler and Morden. He brought back the Polar Plunges, and he was instrumental in growing those, and then this year, doing it in the lake for the first time. Yeah, he's been fantastic."
Suggitt added her gratitude to be able to have Sergeant Edwards in their corner, growing the organization and helping athletes aspire to compete at the national level.
Edwards admits "selfishly" sometimes it feels good to help.
"I like being a part of the community and it's a relationship between Special Olympics and law enforcement I've been a part of for some time now. We get to do some neat things like our Polar Plunges, or the Truck Ride, and the Law Enforcement Torch Run itself, which we're hoping to get back into the swing of things next year with that. It gives us some variety, and obviously, the cause is fantastic, and we get our law enforcement community out in the community and involved with different types of things and raise money for a great cause."
Edwards says he is grateful for the support they receive from other strong Special O programs in the region. Edwards, from Morden, put up 108 points in 101 games with the Terriers after spending two years with the Winkler Flyers in the early 2000's.