The Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy, will be a global celebration of unity, talent, and inclusion, and at the heart of this event is the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Final Leg. Each year, the LETR Final Leg team embarks on an inspiring journey, carrying the Flame of Hope across the host city, spreading awareness, and shining a spotlight on the extraordinary athletes who embody courage and determination. The 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games will be no different, with a team of dedicated law enforcement officers working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the success of the event. Three key members of the LETR logistics team who hail from Southern California—Bill Proll, Gerri McCorkle, and Mark McCorkle—shared their insights on their roles, the significance of the Flame of Hope, and the profound impact this event has on both the athletes and the law enforcement community.
Bill Proll: Guardian of the Flame
Bill Proll, Retired Lieutenant San Luis Obispo Police Department and Current Reserve Police Officer with SLO PD, has a role on the LETR logistics team for the Final Leg which is deeply symbolic and vital: he is entrusted with the responsibility of being the “Guardian of the Torch Flame.” Bill and his colleagues will maintain and operate the Torch and Miner’s Lamps throughout the Final Leg, ensuring the sacred Flame of Hope is preserved and presented with the utmost respect. “The Final Leg experience is hard to describe to someone who has not been on a Final Leg,” says Bill, reflecting on his six years of experience with the event. “The camaraderie of the team is immediate—within hours, we feel like old friends.”
For Bill, the LETR movement is more than just a part of his career—it is a calling. He was introduced to it when his police chief in San Luis Obispo County asked if he wanted to run with the Torch. “I had no idea what that was, but it soon became a big part of my life,” Bill recalls. Over the years, he has witnessed firsthand how the Flame of Hope serves as a beacon of inclusion and acceptance for people with intellectual disabilities. He encourages others to donate, explaining that every contribution directly impacts the lives of Special Olympics athletes and their families, while also empowering law enforcement officers to become a force for good in their communities.
Bill’s message to the athletes is clear: “Cherish every second of your time in Italy. All of the police officers from around the world are rooting for you, and it doesn’t matter if you win or lose—you’re already a winner.”
Gerri McCorkle: Behind the Scenes, Making It All Happen
Gerri McCorkle, Retired Sergeant Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, is one of two Advance Team Leads on the Final Leg Team, overseeing a team of four members responsible for site reconnaissance, ceremony setup, and teardown. “We assess each site, determine how best to stage the team, manage speech materials, and organize the gifts exchanged at each ceremony,” Gerri explains. While the work is physically demanding, the satisfaction of seeing each ceremony unfold successfully makes it all worthwhile. For Gerri, the Final Leg represents the heart of the LETR movement—an opportunity to foster global unity and showcase the power of inclusion.
Gerri’s journey with Special Olympics began when she volunteered at the Special Olympic Southern California Summer Games at UCLA while in college. “I saw how tremendous the athletes were—how talented, and how much joy they expressed,” she recalls. As a deputy sheriff on Los Angeles County, she got more involved, organizing events and building relationships with athletes. “It has easily been the most rewarding aspect of my law enforcement career,” she says.
For Gerri, the Flame of Hope is a powerful symbol of acceptance, signaling that everyone—regardless of their abilities—deserves to be embraced by their community. She encourages others to get involved by organizing events like Tip-A-Cop, where law enforcement officers interact with athletes and raise awareness for the Special Olympics. “When new officers participate, they are often so moved by the experience that they want to return and help again,” she notes.
Gerri is excited for the 2025 Games, particularly for the opportunity to introduce people from a different culture to the LETR movement and its values. “It’s incredibly fulfilling to watch how our work changes lives,” she says, reflecting on the global impact of the event.
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Mark McCorkle: The Planner and the Captain
Mark McCorkle, Retired Commander Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, serves as the Chairman of the Final Leg Planning Committee for the LETR International Executive Council and as the Team Captain for the 107-member Final Leg team. His responsibilities are both vast and vital: Mark is tasked with overseeing the overall planning for the Final Leg, as well as managing all team activities during their time in Italy. “Bringing together law enforcement officers and athletes from all over the world to promote inclusion and celebrate the LETR mission is an absolute honor,” Mark says. He finds great joy in seeing athletes from different cultures being embraced by local communities, even when language barriers exist.
Mark’s journey with the LETR began in his early career as a deputy. “It wasn’t until I had the opportunity to present medals at a competition that it really hit home,” he recalls. The moment he placed a medal around the neck of an athlete and received an overwhelming hug was transformative. “I was bought and paid for in that moment,” he adds. Since then, he has dedicated part of his life to supporting the LETR and Special Olympics.
The Flame of Hope holds profound meaning for Mark, symbolizing acceptance and inclusion for all. “By carrying the Flame around the world, we are letting everyone know that regardless of your disability, we should embrace you, encourage you, and accept you for all you are,” he says. He encourages others to support the movement, particularly by helping to establish LETR programs in countries that lack them. Mark takes immense pride in seeing law enforcement officers in countries like Austria and Germany embrace the LETR mission and build their own programs.
Like Bill and Gerri, Mark is eager to see the impact of the 2025 Games. “I’m excited to expose an entire country to what we do, and to teach a new generation of officers in Italy how they too can make a difference,” he says.
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A Unified Commitment to Hope
The 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin will be a momentous occasion, not only for the athletes who will showcase their incredible abilities but also for the law enforcement officers who will stand beside them as champions of inclusion. For Bill, Gerri, and Mark, the LETR is a lifelong commitment—one that brings together communities, fosters global unity, and ensures that the Flame of Hope burns brightly for years to come.
As Bill Proll says, “Everyone just needs to keep putting fuel on it.” The Flame of Hope is not just a symbol; it is a movement—one that transforms lives, connects people across cultures, and empowers those who are often overlooked. The 2025 Games in Turin will undoubtedly serve as a powerful reminder that, in the eyes of the law enforcement officers and the athletes they support, everyone is a winner.