Crime & Safety

Rep. Themis Klarides Honors Sergeant Brian McCarthy of Woodbridge

Sgt. McCarthy to Represent Connecticut as Torch Runner at World Special Olympics

State Representative Themis Klarides congratulates Sergeant Brian McCarthy of the Woodbridge Police Department for being selected as a torch runner for the Special Olympics World Games this June in the Hellenic Republic, commonly known as Greece. McCarthy will represent law enforcement for the State of Connecticut and join fellow law enforcement office from around the world as torch runners during the three week period. The announcement was made this morning.

  “Congratulations to Sergeant McCarthy and all of the Woodbridge Police Department for this great honor of representing our state at the World Games of the Special Olympics!" Klarides said. "Sergeant McCarthy is a role model in our community with his leadership in the ‘Ride for the Flame’ and is most deserving of this honor.” 

Sgt. McCarthy leads the Woodbridge Police Departments’ “Ride for the Flame” Special Olympics fundraiser. Prior to the “Ride for the Flame” event, Woodbridge typically saw an average $5,000 come in for fundraising efforts. The first annual was held last year and raised in excess of $30,000 for their efforts, placing them third in the state Special Olympics fundraising.

Find out what's happening in Bethwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“As a Guardian of the Flame I have proudly been participating in the Torch Run for 20 years," said Sgt. McCarthy. "We have over 6,300 challenged athletes in Connecticut and it’s the hard work and dedication of Connecticut’s Law Enforcement Officers that make it possible for them to participate each year in the Special Olympics. I am honored to have been chosen to represent Special Olympics Connecticut and all my Brother and Sister Torch Runners as we carry the Flame of Hope to the opening of the 2011 World Games."

The runners will begin in Athens where the torch will be lit from the Olympic flame caldron. Typically runners then carry the flame throughout the world to wherever the games are held.  The flame will journey through the Greek Islands, Egypt, Turkey and Cyprus before returning back to Athens where this year’s World Games will be hosted. The Special Olympics World Games are held every four years with summer and winter versions alternating every two years.

Find out what's happening in Bethwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.