Law enforcement aids Special Olympics

WINDOW ROCK, May 1, 2008

Law enforcement officers from Apache County and the Hopi and Navajo reservations lent their strong hearts and swift feet to raise money for the Navajo Nation Special Olympics team to compete this weekend in Tempe, Ariz.

Officers from the Navajo Nation, BIA, Hopi Rangers, and Apache County Sheriff's Office ran and cycled from Veterans Memorial Park in Window Rock to Tuba City last weekend in the Arizona Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics.

The first day of the trek began Saturday and ended at the Hopi Cultural Center at Second Mesa, Ariz., a 96-mile run and bicycle trek.

"We ran and rode the bikes on five-mile increments," said Samantha Yazzie, coordinator and senior Navajo police officer.

Yazzie coordinated the event with the assistance of Larry Curtis of the St. Michael Special Ed Program, Sgt. Clinton Curtis and Commander Roscoe Herrera.

Earlier this year, Yazzie and officers took on the task of raising funds through pledges from the public. The Window Rock Police District also had a donation drive on April 12 and 19 where volunteers stood at the intersection leading to the tribal administration complex.

About $2,000 was collected from the effort. In all, with the pledges, Yazzie estimates that about $3,000 has been raised.

The funds collected will help the Navajo Nation Special Olympics team cover traveling expenses, lodging and meals when it competes this weekend.

"I really applaud what (Yazzie) and officers involved did," said Ernalynn Shortey, volunteer for the Special Olympics team.

Each of the participating officers used personal time and each had an opportunity to carry the Special Olympics torch.

On Friday, the Navajo Nation volunteers will participate in the final run where all participants carrying the torch will run into Arizona State University's Sun Devil Stadium to kick off the Special Olympics.

This year 42 participants will represent the Navajo Nation at the Special Olympics. Last year only 18 participants went.

The officers who participated in the torch run are:

Saturday, April 26

• Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety
  Samantha A. Yazzie, police officer, Window Rock District; Clinton C. Curtis, sergeant, Window Rock District; Elroy Naswood, police officer, Window Rock District; Marc Scott, criminal investigator, Shiprock District; Mike Henderson, criminal investigator, Window Rock District; Antonio Cooke, sergeant, Window Rock District; Wendell Bitselley, police officer, Window Rock District; Kara Tilden, police officer, Window Rock District; Marshall Speirs, police officer, Window Rock District; Christopher Holgate, police officer, Window Rock District; Deirryck Begay, police officer, Window Rock District; Leon Mitchell, police officer, Window Rock District; Henry Moore, lieutenant, Window Rock District; Tabitha Herrera, detention, Window Rock District; Donna Johnson, emergency services, Window Rock District; Casey Tommie, police officer (escort); and Erik Williams, police officer (escort).
  
  
• Apache County Sheriff's office
  Dave Murray, sheriff; Roscoe Herrera, commander; Chuck Gaston, sergeant; Tommy Kirk, deputy; Dave Francisco, deputy; Antony Notah, deputy; Irma Leonard, deputy; Chad Spaulding, deputy; Andre Leonard, deputy (escort); and Franklin Lee, deputy (escort).

Sunday, April 27

• Navajo Police
  Demanuel Yazzie, police officer, Tuba City District; David R. Butler, police officer, Tuba City District; Phillip Bedonie, police officer, Tuba City District; and Christine Thinn, police officer, Tuba City District.
  
  
• BIA law enforcement
  Gibson Namoki, sergeant; Richard Naseyouma, officer; Emerson Ami, officer; and Charmetria Tewawina, corrections officer.
  
  
• Hopi Rangers
  Roderick Holmes, acting chief; Todd Honyoama, ranger; Charles Mahkewa, ranger; Leon Beatty, ranger; Neva Talayumptewa, ranger; and Robin Talas, ranger.

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