Fairfax County Deputy Sheriff Lieutenant John Chrisinger represented Virginia in the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the 2009 Special Olympics Winter World Games.
A team of 71 law enforcement officials from all over the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia and 10 Special Olympic athletes served as Guardians of the Flame from Jan. 28 to Feb. 6, completing the Flame of Hope’s 37,000 mile journey from Athens, Greece, to the site of the Winter Games in Boise, Idaho.
More than 2,000 athletes from nearly 100 countries participated in the week-long World Games that began on Feb. 7.
Chrisinger has taken part in the Virginia Law Enforcement Torch Run for the last 23 years. “Originally I was recruited because I am a runner,” he said, “but I keep coming back year after year because the Special Olympics are so important. It’s an opportunity for me to give back to the community I serve and help promote awareness for this inspirational program.”
Running is also a way of life for Chrisinger. He takes a Vanpool every day from his home in Warrenton, Virginia, to the Fairfax County Government Center and then runs 3.5 miles to his office in the Public Safety Complex.
In addition to the Torch Run, many Sheriff’s Office employees take part in the annual Dulles Day Plane Pull and sell hats and T-shirts to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics Virginia.
