VIDEO: River Dell Officers Carry a Torch for Special Olympics

New Jersey's bravest traded in their uniforms for running shoes on Friday during the annual Law Enforcement Torch Fun for NJ Special Olympics. And once again this year, local officers hit the streets in Oradell as part of the 30 mile Northeast Bergen County route.

Oradell Patrolmen Richard Liguori represented the borough's DARE program by running alongside River Edge Officer Joseph Zemaites who cycled during the Torch Run.

Approximately 150 officers would carry the torch from the ShopRite in Northvale to the entrance of Hudson County Park to kickoff the Summer Special Olympics competitions.

The Special Olympics Torch Run began in 1984 where officers ran the 43 miles from Liberty State Park in Jersey City to Rutgers Stadium in New Brunswick through eight towns and raising $7,000. Now the run spans 26 legs of a 900-mile journey through every county in the state.

Students at OPS raised approximately $1800 towards the Torch Run with members of the fifth and sixth grade classed being invited to participate in a special "run" around the school and Memorial Field with the police officers.

Residents can continue to donate to either the River Edge or Oradell Police officers who took part in the Law Enforcement Torch Run by visitng the Special Olympics of New Jersey website and selecting 'Donate to Department'.

Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Eamon Harbord at Eamon.Harbord@patch.com, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.