By Kim Unland
The LETR for Special Olympic is honoring LASD Reserve Deputy Steve Moran and his daughter, Brittney who is a Special Olympics athlete at the 2nd Annual Charity Clay Shoot on Friday, December 2, 2022, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Reserve Deputy Moran has served the residents of Los Angeles County for 43 years, in addition to being a LETR volunteer for more than a decade. His 32-year-old daughter, Brittney has been a Special Olympics athlete for thirteen years. She has competed in basketball, bowling, as well as in track and field. Brittney loves to compete and said, “My coaches teach me great sportsmanship.”
Both Father and Daughter are being honored for being strong ambassadors for the Special Olympics movement and for actively supporting the efforts of the LETR. They enjoy spending time together and are regularly seen helping at Tip-A-Cops, Torch Runs, and Summer and Fall Games events.
Reserve Deputy Moran remembers an incident that occurred the day his daughter, Brittney, was born. It was shortly after he learned she had Down Syndrome. Steve was sitting, head down, when he heard someone say, “It will be OK.” Nobody was there when he looked up, but that was enough to put him at ease. Reserve Deputy Moran said, “I received an angel from God that day.”
From that day forward Brittney has given him, his late wife, and their entire family wonderful joy, especially when watching her compete. He said, “Watching her do track and field, that was a good moment for our family. You could see that she was really happy. It didn’t matter what award she got, she was so happy just to be involved. Seeing that happiness, I can’t ask for anything more than that.”
When asked what he wanted the world to know about Brittney, he said, “Life is a journey and you never know what God is going to put in your path. In November 1990, God gave my wife and I one of his special angels and we named her Brittney. In spite of what Brittney has gone through with her 5 surgeries, the little smile on her face and the little cute noises she make reminds us that everything was going to be ok. After Brittney’s mother (Steve’s wife) passed, we take life one day at a time. We never take anything for granted. We always appreciate what is given to us and always stay humble.”
After 43 years of volunteering as a LASD Reserve Deputy, Steve will retire at the end of November 2022. However, he said he will remain actively involved with volunteering for LETR because he has seen the difference law enforcement officers have made in the lives of Special Olympics athletes by building relationships, raising funds and awareness for the Special Olympics movement. When asked what lessons he has learned over the years when volunteering, he said, “I have learned that my volunteering experiences have been above and beyond rewarding. I do not expect anything in return. I try to stay humble, positive and most importantly always have fun”.
Learn more about the event at www.sosc.org/kocclay
About the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics:
The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is the largest public awareness vehicle and grass-roots fundraiser for special Olympics. Known as the Guardians of the Flame, law enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes carry the Flame of Hope into the Opening Ceremony of local competitions, and into Special Olympics State, Provincial, National, Regional and World Games. Annually, more than 1,000 dedicated and compassionate law enforcement members carry the “Flame of Hope,” symbolizing courage and celebrations of diversity uniting communities around the globe. Since its inception in 1981, LETR has raised almost a Billion dollars world-wide.
Locally, the LETR has a strong partnership with Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) and has raised $21 million to support local athletes.