Lincoln police officers run with the Special Olympics ‘Flame of Hope’ on Lonsdale Avenue in their town Friday. Officers are, from left, Brian Molis, Kyle Kinniburgh (in back), Sean Gorman, Lt. Bill Sexton, Kevin Marcoux and Sgt. Philip Gould, who is carrying the torch. Call photo/Butch Adams

 By JON BAKER

LINCOLN  —  Patrolman Brian Molis wanted desperately to attend the Special Olympics Rhode Island Summer Games’ Opening Ceremonies gala at the University of Rhode Island’s Meade Stadium on Friday night.

Due to a close friend’s “Berkshires” wedding in western Massachusetts, he couldn’t, though he and five police department brethren did do the next best thing: They, with dozens of other Blackstone Valley police officers, firefighters, state troopers and correctional officers, helped move the “Flame of Hope” from Woonsocket, through Cumberland and Lincoln, down across Pawtucket and to the Statehouse on Friday morning and afternoon.
This was just one of five legs statewide for the annual Torch Run, which with the aid of law enforcement officials traversed an approximate 120 miles in about 10 hours. At 8:20 p.m., Friday, the Special Olympics torch was slated to enter the Kingston gridiron gates before 1,500 athletes, 2,000 family members and friends, 500 coaches and another 500 volunteers for the lighting of the cauldron.
Beginning today, those athletes will take part in a variety of competitions, including 10-pin bowling, track and field, tennis, swimming, soccer, powerlifting and cycling. The event will end Sunday with a cookout between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
According to Special Olympics spokesperson Gerri Walter, officials had hoped to raise $160,000 from the Torch Run, T-shirt sales and other special events.
About three years ago, then-Lincoln Deputy Chief Brian Sullivan asked Molis to become the police department’s liaison for Special Olympics Rhode Island, and to help create more interest in the Torch Run.
“I just said, ‘Sure,’” Molis stated. “It had to do with physical fitness, and it also had to do with helping those with developmental and other disabilities chase dreams of athletic success. It was just a great thing to do.”
That interest became more natural and heartfelt last October, when Molis learned that his niece Virginia — born to his brother Jim and sister-in-law Molly -- had been diagnosed with Down syndrome.
“I had already been involved with the organization and the Torch Run, but this year, it became much more special to me and my family, when we found out about Virginia,” Molis said. “I sent out an internal e-mail a few months back, telling the people I work with I’d like to see our department get more involved than it had been.
“Over the past few years, (Patrolman) Russ Enos was our only participant,” he added. “This time, when we had so many sign up, I was thrilled with the response.”
Initially, 13 Lincoln officers registered with Molis, though only six took part. They included Sgt. Philip Gould, Lt. William Sexton, Molis and fellow officers Sean Gorman, Kyle Kinniburgh and Kevin Marcoux.
“Of those guys and girls who signed up, they were all enthused about participating, but they couldn’t because of having to go to court or detail assignments, or working overtime or a prior engagement,” Molis noted. “They still have supported this cause, either by making phone calls or selling T-shirts.”
Offered Gould: “Brian has put a lot of work into this, and he deserves a lot of credit. What happened within Brian’s family affected all of us. We as a police force work as a team. The Special Olympics draws attention to Down syndrome and autism, and other things like them. There are a lot of good causes out there that need to be addressed.
“When I lived in Connecticut, I got involved with Special Olympics, so this is nothing new to me,” he added. “I’ve also been coaching for four years at Lincoln High, and there are some kids who compete in the Special Olympics. When you see those kids in school, wearing the medals they won and looking so proud of what they accomplished, it can’t help but touch you.”
The sextet began their portion of a one-mile trek near the Super Stop & Shop complex on Mendon Road in Cumberland, after Gould took the torch from Cumberland Special Resource Officer David Payson, who had been trailed by several Cumberland police representatives on foot and bicycles.
As the procession slowly moved down Lonsdale Avenue, then reached Blais Insurance near the Central Falls town line, Det. Capt. Kevin Guindon accepted the flame from Gould with at least 15 spectators hooting and hollering.
Two were Alison Almond, the wife of Town Administrator T. Joseph Almond, and their toddler son Joe, who also suffers from Down syndrome.
“This is my fifth year doing this, and I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Guindon said as he warmed up. “I do this for the kids and the cause. Obviously, it’s an amazing cause, one that brings together those with developmental disabilities. Most police officers were athletes at some time in their lives, so it’s important we support these people in the Special Olympics.
“I’ve carried the torch before, and it’s awesome,” he added. “It’s a symbol of the event, a symbol of the needs these people have and also a symbol of strength, not to mention the hard work they’ve put in to get in shape to compete.”
Gould had never taken this short trip before, but already seemed interested in making another one next spring.
“That was cool, and a great honor,” Gould said. “A lot of good policemen and firefighters and correctional officers will carry this torch today, and I’m very proud to be one of them.”
When it was over, Molis seemed a bit winded, and also complained of pain in his shins, but did so with an ear-to-ear grin.
“This is only the start for us,” he stated, referring to Team Lincoln, which raised at least $500 for SORI. “With all the added involvement we got this year, we’ll reach for the stars the next time around.
“In something like this, everyone comes together. It’s all about teams — teams of athletes at the Special Olympics, teams of families and friends who helped, teams of law enforcement officials, the community teams. Everyone’s involved. This means a lot to me.”