The star of City of San Fernando’s run to benefit the Special Olympics was Gerardo De La Cedra, a Special Olympics athlete who jogged the route alongside torch bearer Acting Sergeant J. Cristobal Robles, who carried the Flame of Hope Torch in the city’s annual law enforcement run through the town.
“We are so excited to again be a part of this run,” Robles said in a prepared statement. “This is my second year as team leader and being a part of the Special Olympics Torch Run is a true honor. We can’t wait to see hundreds of school students, staff, residents, visitors and community members line the streets cheering us on as we support this great cause.”
Beginning at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5, the San Fernando Police Department and city employees carried the torch through the city along a 2.5 mile route.
Children from O’Melveny Elementary School had a front row view from their schoolyard as the police department team started their run through to help the Special Olympics of Southern California.
The San Fernando Police department team runs through the City of San Fernando during the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run to support Special Olympics of Southern California, in San Fernando on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The San Fernando Police department team runs along San Fernando Road in the City of San Fernando during the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run to support Special Olympics of Southern California, in San Fernando on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
O’Melveny Elementary School students watch the San Fernando Police department team as they start their run through the City of San Fernando during the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run to support Special Olympics of Southern California, in San Fernando on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
O’Melveny Elementary School students watch the San Fernando Police department team as they start their run through the City of San Fernando during the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run to support Special Olympics of Southern California, in San Fernando on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Acting Sergeant J. Cristobal Robles carries the torch as Special Olympic athlete Gerardo De La Cerda runs next to him as the San Fernando Police department team runs through the City of San Fernando during the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run to support Special Olympics of Southern California, in San Fernando on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Acting Sergeant J. Cristobal Robles carries the torch as Special Olympic athlete Gerardo De La Cerda runs next to him as the San Fernando Police department team runs through the City of San Fernando during the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run to support Special Olympics of Southern California, in San Fernando on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
LAFD firefighter Edrick Gutierrez from station 75 monitors a large American flag as he waits for the San Fernando Police department team to run under on San Fernando Road during the City of San Fernando the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run to support Special Olympics of Southern California, in San Fernando on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
San Fernando Police Chief Fabian Valdez said in a prepared statement, “For more than four decades, law enforcement officers across the country and around the world have run with the Flame of Hope raising over $1 billion to support Special Olympics and raise awareness for inclusion. We at the San Fernando Police Department are proud to support and be a part of this great cause.”
