ROCHELLE — On Wednesday morning, the Rochelle Police Department took part in its annual Law Enforcement Torch Run to raise money for Special Olympics Illinois. 

Officers and department employees and their family members took part in the run that stretched from Illinois Route 38 to Lincoln Avenue along Lincoln Highway. RPD has taken part in the Torch Run since the early 1990s. RPD also raised money for Special Olympics Illinois through its Cop on a Rooftop fundraiser event last month at Dunkin Donuts, and it has had one of its most successful fundraising years, RPD Rochelle Township High School Resource Officer Jim Jakymiw said.

“We do this every year because it raises awareness and money,” RPD Detective Sgt. John Kaltenbach said. “It's a great benefit and it gives us a chance to get out in the community and do something positive. The Torch Run is mostly officers and our families. We have a lot of new officers getting involved.”

The Torch Run was the last for Kaltenbach, who will be retiring next month after 20 years with the department. Over that span, he estimates he’s only missed one or two Torch Runs. Officers and participants wore bandannas and white shorts Wednesday in honor of Kaltenbach's last Torch Run.

Kaltenbach said being out in the community with activities like the Torch Run and Cop on a Rooftop helps residents to associate faces and names with the department.

“Especially with all of our new officers, it's good to get out in the community more so we can make relationships,” Kaltenbach said. “We need to do more of it. Getting to know people on a personal level is important. That's how we solve crimes sometimes, is by knowing the public. We're not on the street all the time, but the community is. If someone knows us, they're more likely to tell us about something they saw.”

RPD’s next summer community event will be National Night Out on Aug. 6 at Atwood Park, which will consist of demonstrations, vendors and community organizations. The event is completely free to attendees. Jakymiw said that the event will have every department member in attendance and serves as a great opportunity to interact with the community.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the single largest year-round fundraising movement benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. Since 1986, the Law Enforcement Torch Run has raised more than $70 million while increasing awareness of Special Olympics Illinois athletes and their accomplishments.

“Special Olympics is a great cause and law enforcement has a great relationship with that organization,” Detective Elvis Baneski said. “It's been going on for years and it's one of the strongest relationships we have.”