Delaware Law Enforcement for Special Olympics Torch Runner of the Year

 2015 - Master Corporal Christopher Popp, Delaware State Police

• Member of DSP since October 1998 (16 years)
• Currently assigned to Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) Task Force, Troop 2
• Father of Brendan Popp (13 years old) who is also a Special Olympics Athlete.
• Torch Runner since 1999 as well as a volunteer, agency rep, ad solicitor, and fund raiser.
• Has, and continues to be, a Special Olympics sports coach and/or program director since 2000 for bowling, soccer, basketball, swimming, flag football, track and field, and power lifting.
• Currently holds the position of Sports Director for the MOT Tigers for the basketball program.
• Started and was the program director for the Delaware Destroyers which was a community based team.  This team started out with 15 athletes and at the time of the re-organization was over 60 athletes competing in over 7 sporting events.
• Routinely speaks at Special Olympics events to include the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign, First Giving Program, and Regional Conferences for Law Enforcement Torch Run and Special Olympics.
• Attended LETR Regional Conferences in Buffalo NY (2006), Connecticut (2009) and participated in the Global Torch Run in NYC (2009)
• Participates in the Truck Convoy, has gone "Over the Edge", organized a Dodgeball Team called the Wrecking Balls who have finished 1^st and 2^nd, 2 out of the three years involved, and Pulled a Plane.
• Traveled to Haiti in 2014 with Special Olympics to assist with their International Program and worked with Haiti athletes coaching soccer, bocce, and track and field.

 

Most memorable Torch Run memory:  The first time I participated in an opening ceremony and was part of the group of law enforcement officers bringing in the Flame of Hope.

 

As I was waiting to bring in the Flame of Hope, I couldn’t fathom the meaning it has for the athletes and you don’t get to see or feel the anticipation they have waiting for its arrival.  But the moment it entered the auditorium I could feel the excitement and could see on the all the athletes faces how much meaning the Flame of Hope has to them.  It was an amazing feeling (brought me goose bumps) and honor to enter into that auditorium representing Special Olympics and Law Enforcement.  As I continue my journey with LETR and Special Olympics as a runner, a coach, and a father, I still feel that anticipation and excitement with what the Flame of Hope and all that it represents.

 

Special Olympics Start:  I got my start like most of us did.  Someone who understood the importance of Special Olympics and why we participate asked me to hand out medals at an award ceremony.  As most of us know that’s all it takes.  I was captured by the spirit of competition amongst the athletes and to see their expressions when all their hard work was awarded when I put that medal around there neck.

 

As the Delaware Law Enforcement for Special Olympics “Torch Runner of the Year” for 2015, Corporal Chris Popp will have the distinct honor and privilege to deliver the Flame of Hope to the Special Olympics Delaware “Athlete of the Year”, David Hill, at the Opening Ceremonies of the SODE Summer Games on Friday afternoon, June 12^th at the University of Delaware, on behalf of the entire Delaware Law Enforcement community.

Photo attached, L to R: Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr., Chairperson, Delaware Law Enforcement for Special Olympics; David Hill, Special Olympics Delaware "Athlete of the Year;" and Master Corporal Christopher Popp, Delaware Law Enforcement for Special Olympics "Torch Runner of the Year."