RUMFORD — The annual Special Olympics Maine Law Enforcement Torch Run will be held at 6 a.m. Thursday, June 6, with officers from Rumford, Mexico, Dixfield and the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office running from Rumford to Dixfield.

Rumford police Chief Stacy Carter said Sgt. Doug Maifeld, who is also team leader for the event, will be participating.

“There should be some state troopers there, as well as participants in the Mexico Explorers program,” Carter said.

He said patrol vehicles will be leading the participating officers, who will stay toward the right of the road as they run.

“The patrol vehicles help people on the road know to slow down,” Carter said. “We’ve been doing this for more than 20 years, and we’ve never had any problems.”

Each year, about 700 Maine law enforcement members — carrying a Flame of Hope torch — run approximately 900 miles in stages. The law enforcement run ends Friday, June 7, at the University of Maine at Orono, where the Special Olympics Maine summer games begin.

According to Carter, the torch will be handed off in Dixfield, where officers will continue to carry it to Wilton.

Maifeld began doing torch runs in 1988 as a reserve Rumford officer. Since then, he said he has raised $10,000 for Special Olympics Maine, and volunteered his time to participate in parades and award medals to athletes at both the state’s winter and summer games. He was one of two police officers chosen in 2002 by Special Olympics Maine to represent the state at a Salute to Hope, Honor and Courage in New York City, a tribute to those who lost their lives during the Sept. 11, 2001,  terrorist attacks.

To date, the Special Olympics Maine Law Enforcement Torch Run has raised more than $1 million dollars.

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