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Law enforcement supports Special Olympics in run MILTON, Ga. — Teams of Police Officers from the cities of Milton and Roswell laced up their running shoes and hit the streets to support the Special Olympics during the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run on May 14. The Milton team, composed of members of the See Police Department, Firemore Rescue and City Hall staff, photos started off with a mile-plus ► PAGE 6 loop around Downtown Crabapple before passing the torch to the Roswell team who carried it to Roswell City Hall. “It’s an honor to be a part of something much larger than just the city of Milton and to do something to give back to such a worthy cause as the Special Olympics is fantastic,” Milton Chief of Police Jason Griffin said. Maureen Wales, who coordinates Special Olympics for Fulton County Schools said, “this event is so important because it culminates a year of training for these athletes and to be able to participate with their peers across the state is just so special. I think this is amazing because it just goes to show that everybody in the community is behind our Special Olympics.” The Torch Run is one of the events occurring in Milton and Roswell during National Police Week which takes place each May. — Photos by Dean Hesse
Milton, Roswell gather to honor fallen officer By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com
Milton Chief of Police Jason Griffin, left, passes the torch to Roswell Chief of Police James Conroy during the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run supporting the Special Olympics on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
The Roswell team heads out from Milton to deliver the torch to Roswell City Hall during the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run supporting the Special Olympics on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
The Roswell team heads out Crabapple Road with the torch on the way to Roswell City Hall during the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run supporting the Special Olympics on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
OPINION Leaders could learn from new housing law Page 19
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RONY GHELERTER
ROSWELL, Ga. — The morning of May 15 was somber as Roswell city officials, police officers, firefighters, friends and family gathered to remember the lives of those who gave their life in the line of duty over the past year. The Roswell and Milton Police Department stood at Roswell Area Park Pond to honor the sacrifice of seven fallen Georgia officers from the past year, including Jeremy Labonte whose watch ended Feb. 7. Labonte, 24, joined the Roswell Police Department in 2021. Ofc. Labonte was shot and killed while responding to a suspicious person report off Holcomb Bridge Road. The city also honored Ofc. Leslie Warden who was killed in the line of duty June 14, 1986, while assisting at a car accident scene on Interstate 285 near Northside Drive. As a long-standing tradition, Milton joined Roswell to offer their condolences and stand in support of their sister city. “We all support one another, and obviously, with what they’ve been through this year, we wouldn’t miss it,” Milton Police Chief Jason Griffin said. Immediate family members of Labonte, also known as police survivors, were presented with memorial badges by Roswell Chief of Police James Conroy.
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