LANSING, MI – Michigan will have a key role when the world gathers to honor Special Olympics athletes later this month.

The Michigan State Police announced this week that trooper Jacob Lewis is one of eight team leaders selected to help deliver the Flame of Hope to the opening ceremonies for the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy.

Starting Feb. 25, law enforcement teams will secure the torch from Athens, Greece and spend eight days running the flame through communities of Northern Italy, raising awareness for those with intellectual disabilities.

Lewis will be among those running the flame into Pala Alpitour Stadium for the opening ceremonies on March 8.

“I have been involved with Special Olympics Michigan and the Law Enforcement Torch Run since joining the MSP in 2016,” Lewis, who is assigned to the Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit, said.

“My participation quickly turned into a passion. I feel incredibly honored to have been chosen as a Guardian of the Flame to represent the organization and the MSP on an international stage.”

Throughout the trip, Lewis will spend time meeting with athletes and colleagues from around the world to share community policing strategies, as well as tactics and educational tools to help decrease victimization of people with intellectual disabilities.

The eight law enforcement teams that make up the final leg include more than 50 U.S. members of law enforcement and 30 international members, eight of which are Italian officers. Each team also has an athlete runner accompanying them as they run the Flame of Hope through Italy.

“The MSP has strong ties to the Special Olympics and has built authentic relationships with its amazing athletes over many years,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP. “I commend Trooper Lewis and all of our members who participate in the fundraisers, races and games year after year.”

In 2024, Law Enforcement Torch Run participants raised more than $2.5 million for Special Olympics Michigan. More than 110,000 law enforcement officers from around the world make up the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which annually raises over $66 million for Special Olympics.

Travel costs for Lewis’ participation in the event are covered by Special Olympics International.