Each year, the Special Olympics is hosted to offer an opportunity to those with disabilities allowing them to athletically compete in the Olympic Games; this year it was hosted in New Jersey, where 3,500 participants demonstrated their strength and perseverance.
Locally, retired Scotts Valley Police Department Lt. John Hohmann has been an instrumental figure in efforts to raise funds to support of the participants in the Special Olympics.
This year alone, the Police-n-Pursuit fundraiser, a law enforcement motorsports competition he annually organizes, raised more than $15,000 in funds for the Special Olympics.
For his efforts, he was chosen to carry the Special Olympics torch through Scotts Valley when it passed through Northern California.
From the Scotts Valley Hilton, Hohmann, along with an entourage of police officers and supporters, ran along Mount Hermon Road and Scotts Valley Drive, hoisting the torch aloft.
Hohmann, who retired from the Scotts Valley Police Department last year, said that retirement has allowed him to be able to dedicate even more time to help with the Special Olympics.
