ROCKLAND — Rockland Traffic Officer Troy Peasley was given the 2019 Bob Bell Award at the annual Maine Law Enforcement Torch Run Conference in South Portland March 21, according to a news release from the Rockland Police Department. This prestigious award is given to one Maine law enforcement officer each year for dedication to Special Olympics Maine and the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR).

The award is named after former Bridgton Police Chief Bob Bell, who passed away in 2009, who started the Law Enforcement Torch Run in Maine in 1985. The Bob Bell Award is the highest honor given to any member of the Maine LETR.

Peasley has been the LETR coordinator with the Rockland Police Department for 15 years. He is in charge of organizing the annual June run from Camden to West Bath, as well as several fundraisers throughout the year, and attending state and local Special Olympic events to volunteer and present athletes with medals. Peasley was elected to serve on the Maine LETR Executive Council and is serving the 4th and final year of his term.

In 2007, Peasley was selected to represent the State of Maine LETR at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China; and in 2014 he represented the Maine LETR again at the Special Olympics USA Summer Games in New Jersey. He has attended three International LETR Conferences in Calgary 2011, Indianapolis 2012, and New Orleans 2014.

Law enforcement are the world-wide guardians of the flame for Special Olympics, and the LETR raises funds and awareness for Special Olympics. The Maine LETR raised over raised over $424,000 for Special Olympics Maine in 2018. The LETR for Special Olympics is the only charity Maine law enforcement are allowed to represent in uniform.

The award winner was selected by Phil Geelhoed, President and CEO of Special Olympics Maine, Lisa Bird, Special Olympics Maine Torch Run Director, and retired Bangor Police Chief Ron Gastia, Maine Law Enforcement Torch Run Director.