Runners participate in the 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run, benefiting Special Olympics Texas, at Klyde Warren Park in Dallas, TX, Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Crowds dressed in neon pink shirts and navy blue Dallas police and Dallas Fire-Rescue uniforms mingled on the grass Thursday morning at Klyde Warren Park. Special Olympics Texas athletes excitedly ran into each other’s arms, waved pom-poms and posed for pictures with officers and people dressed in Star Wars and McGruff the Crime Dog costumes.
The sun shone down through layers of clouds and branches, casting intricate patterns across the ground as Dallas Police Academy recruits led the crowd in a warm-up session ahead of the 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run, held to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics Texas.
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Rachel Seba, a lead athlete and representative for Special Olympics Texas, moved through the stretches with a smile on her face. The 35-year-old said she has participated in the Special Olympics for over 22 years.
“Special Olympics means a lot to me,” Seba said. “I get to share my spirit and meet people I might not have met before.”
Dallas Fire-Rescue Chief Justin Ball stood by the stage before the race holding a fiery torch with athlete Mia Patterson to light the Flame of Hope, a symbolic fire that signifies unity and inclusion.
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“When the Dallas Police Department and Dallas Fire-Rescue get together, it’s usually on a scene, but today it’s for a great reason and a shared mission,” Ball said.
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As first responders, we talk a lot about bravery, which is the ability to face a challenge even when the odds are stacked against you, but looking at all of you today, I think you could teach us a thing or two about courage,” Ball said.
Dallas Fire-Rescue Chief Justin Ball and athlete Mia Patterson hug after lighting the Flame of Hope to kick off the 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run, benefiting Special Olympics Texas, at Klyde Warren Park in Dallas, TX, Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Once the Flame of Hope was lit, hundreds of community members, law enforcement officers and athletes lined up along Woodall Rogers Freeway Frontage Road to start the 1.5-mile run or 0.8 mile walk.
Seba and her mother finished the walk together about 30 minutes after it started. They meandered down the park’s gravel path, slowing down as Seba high-fived and hugged people standing on the outskirts, before receiving a medal strung on a golden yellow ribbon as they crossed the “Play Unified” blow-up arch at the end of the course.
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A volunteer holds medals given out during the 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run, benefiting Special Olympics Texas, at Klyde Warren Park in Dallas, TX, Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Seba said her mother doubles as her tennis partner and will represent Team Texas with her in the Special Olympics USA Games in June at the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center in Blaine. The nonprofit holds more than 300 competitions in area, regional and state levels for adults and children with intellectual disabilities.
Lt. Kellie Renfro serves as the Dallas police liaison to Special Olympics Texas and said she first learned about the organization in 2019 when she was pregnant with her second child, who was diagnosed with Down syndrome. Her son, who is now 6, participates as a youth athlete in the organization.
“I didn’t originally know it existed,” Renfro said. “I found it, or rather, it found me.”
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This is the second consecutive year Dallas has opened the torch run to the public, Renfro said. Since Dallas police began participating about 25 years ago, community participation has grown from about 100 people to over 600.
“We opened it up because we wanted to share both the love and awareness,” Renfro said. “It’s not just about going out and volunteering for events. It’s about really becoming family, becoming friends.”
The police department raised over $68,000 for the torch run this year, while companies such as Target, Atmos Energy and Energy Transfer raised amounts from $10,000 to $50,000.
Athlete Rachel Seba puts on a medal after reaching the finish line during the 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run, benefiting Special Olympics Texas, at Klyde Warren Park in Dallas, TX, Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Jordan Baccus, Special Olympics Texas North Region torch run coordinator, said the Dallas Police Department became the first in Texas to raise over $100,000 for Special Olympics Texas in 2024. Baccus said the department raised over $114,000 in 2025.
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Dallas police Chief Daniel Comeaux celebrated his two-year anniversary with the department at the event, noting that he attended two days after he began the job last year.
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“I will be here every single year, and I will always give the department the ability and opportunity to do bigger and better things with the Special Olympics,” Comeaux said.
Comeaux wore a medal strung on an orange ribbon around his neck throughout the event. He said an athlete gave it to him last year, and he keeps it on his bedpost at home.
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As Comeaux reached the finish line, he added a new 2026 medal to his collection.