Watertown Police Captain Represents South Dakota in Special Olympics Torch Run
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Watertown Police Captain Represents South Dakota in Special Olympics Torch Run

Collage of Special Olympics torch run scenes with smiling runners, police officers, a boat, and text for USA Games Minnesota 2026.
Watertown Police Captain Joins Athletes to Represent South Dakota in the Special Olympics Torch Run for USA Games 2026.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown Police Department is expressing immense pride this week after Captain Steve Rehorst represented the department and the entire state of South Dakota in the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Final Leg for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.


A Journey of Inclusion and Courage

For the past week, Captain Rehorst joined a unified team of Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement officers from across the nation to carry the “Flame of Hope” hundreds of miles across Minnesota. The journey concluded this past Saturday when the team delivered the flame to the Opening Ceremony at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, an event broadcast live on ESPN.


During the final stretch of the week, the Final Leg Team participated in several landmark events:


·         The Textron Aviation Special Olympics Airlift: Held at the St. Paul Downtown Airport, more than 130 aircraft arrived from around the country, landing approximately every four minutes to bring athletes to the USA Games.

·         CHS Field Celebration: In St. Paul, Captain Rehorst had the honor of speaking alongside prominent figures, including Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, Ramsey County Commissioner Tara Jebens-Singh, Metro Transit Police Chief Joseph Dotseth, and Special Olympics athlete Stephanie Wilkerson.

·         Mississippi River Canoe Run: The team made history on Saturday by conducting one of the first-ever Torch Run legs by canoe on the Mississippi River, passing through Blaine and downtown Minneapolis.

Representing Watertown on the National Stage

At the CHS Field celebration, Captain Rehorst participated in a traditional gift exchange, presenting Metro Transit Police Chief Dotseth with a Terry Redlin print to represent Watertown proudly. The celebration also featured a special drum and dance ceremony led by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

Five smiling people pose indoors at a Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg for Special Olympics event, holding plaques and an award, with Jersey Mike’s banners behind them.

To cap off the unforgettable week, Captain Rehorst officially escorted Team South Dakota—alongside South Dakota First Lady Sandy Rhoden—into the stadium during the Opening Ceremony.


“We could not be more proud to have one of our own representing Watertown, South Dakota, and the law enforcement profession in such a meaningful way,” the Watertown Police Department shared in a public statement. “The Law Enforcement Torch Run is more than a run. It is a promise that every athlete will be seen, valued, included, and celebrated.”
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About the 2026 USA Games:

The Special Olympics USA Games bring together thousands of athletes from all 50 states, united by the belief that ability is greater than disability. Every athlete competing has overcome obstacles and shattered expectations to earn their place on the national stage.


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