Awards and Recognition
The Guardian Award
The Award of Honour celebrates law enforcement personnel and corporate sponsors with a decade or more of involvement in the Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run, recognizing their exemplary commitment as fundraisers and organizers.
Rising Flame Award
This Rising Flame award is to recognize an individual who shows exceptional promise of leadership and continued contribution to the Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run.
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award recognizes a Law Enforcement Torch Run volunteer who has made significant contributions at the provincial, national, and international levels. Recipients are honored for their exceptional dedication and commitment to advancing the mission of the Torch Run.
The Award of Honour
The Award of Honour is presented to Law Enforcement personnel and corporate sponsors who achieve a minimum of ten years involvement with the Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics as fundraisers and/or organizers who have made an exemplary commitment.
The Special Olympics Ontario Hall of Fame
The Special Olympics Ontario Hall of Fame honors builders and volunteer fundraisers whose efforts have strengthened the organization and raised awareness across the province. Inductees are recognized for their outstanding contributions to supporting athletes with intellectual disabilities and for advancing the mission and values of Special Olympics in Ontario and beyond.
The Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to Ret. Chief Don Hillock and Constable Lorne White in recognition of their exceptional leadership and dedication over the course of their careers. Chief Hillock was the “first” OACP Torch Run chair and Constable White is recognized for the development and success of program in Ontario and Canada.
Top Zone Fundraiser (Department)
This recognition level will be awarded annually to the service or department within each zone with the highest fundraising total during the previous year.
The Highest Percentage Increase in Gross Revenue
This award honours those Services/Agencies who have had the highest percentage increase in revenue over their previous years total.
The Guardian Award
The Guardian Award recognizes one outstanding Torch Runner, Service/Agency, Athlete or Supporter who exemplifies the true meaning of the LETR mission and have responsibly guarded the Flame of Hope and all it stands for. The Guardian Award recognizes those who have demonstrated an unparalleled commitment, passion, overcame challenges, or achieved exceptional triumphs in support of the athletes of Special Olympics.
2026 | Stephen Graham
Special Olympics Orillia
2025 | Adisa Richter
Toronto Police Service
2024 | Jim Chauvin
Ontario Provincial Police
2023 | Claude Dupre
Ministry of the Solicitor General - Corrections (retired)
Rising Flame Award
2026 | Claire Martin
Peel Regional Police Service
2026 | Laura West
Ontario Provincial Police
2026 | Leah Fickling
London Police Service
2026 | Lisa Rodger
Chatham-Kent Police Service
2026 | Michael Boyechko
Thunder Bay Police Service
2026 | Stephanie Vanic
Ministry of the Solicitor General
2025
Dave Payette
London Police Service
Dominique Bannock
Peel Regional Police Service
Ian West
Thunder Bay Police Service
Logan Ernst
Woodstock Police Service
Patti Cote
Ontario Provincial Police
Thomas McAusland
Peel Regional Police
2024
Amy O'Keefe
Ontario Provincial Police
Breanna Stinson
Elgin Middlesex Detention
Centre
Jeremy Renton
Ontario Provincial Police
Norfolk Detachment
Jonathan Bueckert
Ontario Provincial Police
Kevin Selwood
York Regional Police Service
Nicole Kamarlingos
RCMP
Sukhraj GILL
Peel Regional Police Service
2023
Ashley Briscoe
Ontario Provincial Police
Cory Briscoe
Ontario Provincial Police
Jeffrey Zuback
Thunder Bay Jail
Kylie Banks
Ontario Provincial Police
Sydney Ranson
Ottawa Police Service
Megan Arbuthnot
Peel Regional Police
2022
Micheal Mallen
Peel Regional Police
Ryan Johnston
Ministry of the Solicitor
General- Ontario Corrections
Sandra Lewis
Toronto Police Service
Teresa Pare
LaSalle Police Service
2021
No Award Ceremony due to
COVID-19
2020
No Award Ceremony due to
COVID-19
2019
Chandal Sutherland
Algoma Treatment & Remand Centre
Julie Hillis
Ontario Provincial Police
Tijana Lakovic
Vanier Centre for Women
Scott Garrett
Elgin Middlesex Detention
Centre
2018
Denise Szachury
Dryden Police Service
Greg O'Connor
Peel Regional Police
Angel Ortolan
Peel Regional Police
Laurie Hakof
Ontario Provincial Police
Tina Hunt
Ontario Provincial Police
Erin Mosher
Ontario Provincial Police
2017
Micheal Mallen
Ontario Provincial Police
Stacey Diamond
Ministry of the Solicitor General- Ontario Corrections
Sandra Lewis
York Regional Police Service
Tyler Tripkovic
Vanier Centre for Women
Jeff McLean
Shelburne Police Service
Alison Hunter
LaSalle Police Service
2016
Diana Cole
Ontario Provincial Police
Andrea McInnis
Thunder Bay Police Service
Rachel Rudolph
York Regional Police Service
Sarah Dereski
Probation & Parole
Matthew Hutchinson
Peel Regional Police
Jana Waghorn
Owen Sound Police Service
Kellie Walker
Southwest Detention Centre
Silvano Bertoni
Ontario Provincial Police
2015
Bob Jacobson
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Brian Stone
Provincial Corrections
Cealia Gagnon
Windsor Police Service
David Giles
Peel Regional Police
Deb Millar
Kingston Police Force
Jeff Saunders
Thunder Bay Police Service
Melissa Moore
Owen Sound Police Service
2014
Peter Boss
Ontario Provincial Police
Kim Cadarette
Peel Regional Police
Hayley Chaplin
Ontario Provincial Police
Nancy Dickson
Grand Valley Institution
Ryan Gibson
Thunder Bay Police Service
Melanie Moffatt
York Regional Police Service
2013
Sean Verescak
Thunder Bay Police Service
Brian Beadman
Toronto Police Service
Shawn McCowell
Peel Regional Police Service
Kelly Brown
Carleton Campus Safety
Paul Neumann
Shelburne Police Service
Chris Newton
London Police Service
Owen Sound Police Service
2012
Keith Nutley
MNR Conservation Officer
Jordan Atchison
Anishinabek Police
Renee Lalonde
Ontario Provincial Police
Lee Payne
Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre
Deborah Pendlebury
Peel Regional Police
Kim Hill
Halton Regional Police Service
Ryan Cabral
Hanover Police Service
Geoff Stotts
Windsor Police Service
2011
Colleen Sheppard
Canadian Border Services Agency
Julie Tilbury
Thunder Bay Police Service
Kimberly Roberts
Canadian Border Services Agency
Johnathan MacPherson
Ontario Provincial Police
Sarah Males
London Police Service
2010
Pat Murphy
Thunder Bay Police Service
Lori Bertrand
Timmins Police Service
Adam Belanger
Ontario Provincial Police
Marjory Jeffery
Greater Sudbury Police Service
Michelle Serpa
London Police Service
Lise-Anne Walkingshaw
Corrections
Derek Spence
London Police Service
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award is presented to a deserving Law Enforcement Torch Run Volunteer who has made notable contributions to the Ontario, Canadian and International Torch Run Programs throughout his/her career. The DSA recipient will have demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to the development of the Law Enforcement Torch Run Mission.
Minimum OLETR involvement required to apply: 20 years.
Nominations stand for 2 years.
2025 | Sheryl Sutton
South Simcoe Police Service
2025 | Adam Young
Windsor Police Service
2023
Fred Brown
Sault Ste. Marie Police Service
2022
Michael Puterbaugh
Toronto Police Service
2021
Mike McDonell
Ontario Provincial Police
2020
Mike McDonell
Ontario Provincial Police
2019
Carrie Gouthro
Correctional Services Canada (Guelph Parole)
2018
Cathie Gillespie
Barrie Police Service
2017
Kevin MacBean
Peel Regional Police
Carole French
Quinte Detention Centre
2016
Mark McGugan
London Police Service
Warren Giertuga
Provincial Corrections
2015
Stacey Campbell
Ontario Provincial Police
2014
None
2013
Joanne Pendrak
Greater Sudbury Police Service
Karen Moloney (Ret)
Durham Regional Police Service
2012
Chris Hartley
Owen Sound Police Service
2011
Peter Bakker
Chatham-Kent Police Service
Brian Snyder
Cornwall Police Service
Peter McHarg
Ontario Provincial Police
Dan Michaud
Ontario Provincial Police
Mike Currie
Chatham-Kent Police Service
2010
Lorne White
Toronto Police Service
Al Richardson
Timmins Police Service
Murray Faulkner
London Police Service
Award of Honour
The Award of Honour is presented to Law Enforcement personnel and corporate sponsors who achieve a minimum of ten years involvement with the Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics as fundraisers and/or organizers who have made an exemplary commitment.
Minimum OLETR involvement required to apply: 10 years.
Nominations stand for 2 years.
2025 | Christine McCallum
Brantford Police Service
2025 | Nolan Windle
Greater Sudbury Police Service
2025 | Ron Rodgers
Ministry of the Solicitor General
The Special Olympics Ontario Hall of Fame
The Special Olympics Ontario Hall of Fame was instituted to recognize builders and volunteer fundraisers who through their individual and collaborative efforts, have made Special Olympics Ontario a more capable and better known service to people with an intellectual disability, and a more deeply cherished cause in our province. Those whom are recognized have made remarkable contributions to the welfare of our athletes, inspired by the ideals that animate the work of Special Olympics in Ontario and throughout Canada.
2020/2021
No inductions due to COVID-19
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to Ret. Chief Don Hillock and Constable Lorne White in recognition of their exceptional leadership and dedication over the course of their careers. Chief Hillock was the “first” OACP Torch Run chair and Constable White is recognized as foremost visionary for the development and success of the extraordinary and world class program in Ontario and Canada.
2012 | Lorne White (Retired)
Toronto Police Service
2012 | Chief Donald Hillock (Retired)
York Regional Police
