Latest / Blue Grit Podcast: The Voice of Texas Law Enforcement / #121- "Lighting the Way with Special Olympics Texas"

Transcript

#121- "Lighting the Way with Special Olympics Texas" · Blue Grit Podcast: The Voice of Texas Law Enforcement

• 0:00
  unknown: Right.
• 0:00
  SPEAKER_02: We we ask for you all to come out and volunteer a lot of your time.
• 0:04
  SPEAKER_02: We don't say do it alone.
• 0:05
  SPEAKER_02: We say bring your family.
• 0:06
  SPEAKER_02: That's the wonderful piece.
• 0:07
  SPEAKER_02: It is a family operation.
• 0:09
  SPEAKER_02: And so But what it is is TMPA is being represented and participation at all levels.
• 0:14
  SPEAKER_02: So from officers with boots on the ground, they're coming out to competitions and volunteering their time, but we also have field reps that are facilitating their behind the scenes doing a lot of work.
• 0:24
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome back, viewers, watchers, listeners.
• 0:27
  SPEAKER_00: I'm your host, Talero, and we got a packhouse today for Blue Grip.
• 0:30
  SPEAKER_00: Got some uh special guests on to include our San Antonio field representative, Joey Sepulveda.
• 0:38
  SPEAKER_00: Going to join us and talk about uh a partnership that TNPA entered uh probably about two years ago.
• 0:43
  SPEAKER_00: Uh it was there in Dallas.
• 0:44
  SPEAKER_00: I was actually there at the board meeting when that partnership began.
• 0:46
  SPEAKER_00: But we've been uh I don't want to say in a relationship with Special Olympics for a while, but we have been courting, I guess is the best way to say that.
• 0:54
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, because we support good, good, good missions and and and good uh humanizing the badge aspects.
• 1:00
  SPEAKER_00: And so we're gonna talk about them today and the importance of of the role that they play, not just for our law enforcement members, but the community as well.
• 1:07
  SPEAKER_00: So, Joey, what's going on with you, man?
• 1:09
  SPEAKER_00: Nothing much, brother.
• 1:10
  SPEAKER_01: Just uh working.
• 1:11
  SPEAKER_01: Um my area has been getting a little bit busier and busier.
• 1:14
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 1:14
  SPEAKER_01: A little bit uh a little bit uh uh heavy in the sense of uh traveling a lot, yeah.
• 1:20
  SPEAKER_01: But uh in a good way.
• 1:22
  SPEAKER_01: So we're just taking care of our members out there, man.
• 1:24
  SPEAKER_00: And for those that do not know, we still have the uh I don't want to say bad leader, but I guess I just did for the Bacona Sites mayor, still the mayor of Bacona Sites until he's uh unseated.
• 1:34
  SPEAKER_00: And I don't want to dive off into politics because of our guests here today, but uh you know, we th those are the challenges that our field services division has to uh deal with on a day-to-day basis.
• 1:43
  SPEAKER_00: So absolutely.
• 1:44
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, every day uh it's something new and something different, but hey, that's what we're here for.
• 1:49
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 1:49
  SPEAKER_00: Hey, Wentcher, our guest.
• 1:51
  SPEAKER_00: You're you probably work closely, uh, the closest to these these two ladies than uh really anybody in field services, being the fact that you're the are you the uh official mascot.
• 1:59
  SPEAKER_00: Joey is the official mascot of Special Olympics, Texas.
• 2:02
  SPEAKER_00: Can we say that?
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_00: Can we announce that?
• 2:04
  SPEAKER_00: Yes.
• 2:04
  SPEAKER_00: He wanted to wear the mascot in here in the podcast, but I don't think it would have fit.
• 2:07
  SPEAKER_00: So aka Torch, you feel rep Joey Sepulveda.
• 2:10
  SPEAKER_00: And I and we're gonna dive off into the importance of that and and uh I think it's a cool deal.
• 2:15
  SPEAKER_01: So anyway, intro our guest.
• 2:16
  SPEAKER_01: Yes.
• 2:17
  SPEAKER_01: So we have here is Katrina Cordova.
• 2:20
  SPEAKER_01: Did I say that correctly?
• 2:21
  SPEAKER_01: Okay, and then we have uh Sharon Hernandez and uh yes, been working with these ladies.
• 2:28
  SPEAKER_01: Well, actually, I've been working with Katrina for the last two and a half years.
• 2:32
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, and uh we've been uh doing some real good good work out here in in central and south Texas.
• 2:38
  SPEAKER_01: And then uh Sharon came with us about a year ago, and uh so now I'm partnering up with her.
• 2:47
  SPEAKER_00: But uh it looks like she fit in great.
• 2:49
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, yeah, since they walked in, the building's been rocking and then we've been cutting up and and joking around.
• 2:54
  SPEAKER_00: But man, you know, I I just think it's so important for our members our members to realize number one, TNPA's bread and butter really is our legal plan, right?
• 3:02
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, that's this that's the situation that you know officers call when they need help is a call at one in hundred number uh when they're in a legal situation, a critical incident.
• 3:10
  SPEAKER_00: But the backbone of TNPA is to continue doing what's right for Texas law enforcement being the voice.
• 3:15
  SPEAKER_00: And what does that look like?
• 3:16
  SPEAKER_00: Well, it's it's a continuing partnerships that you know give that positive image for law enforcement.
• 3:21
  SPEAKER_00: And so one of that being is the Special Olympics, and so I think it's cool that Joey kind of took lead on it.
• 3:25
  SPEAKER_00: Uh he was kind of tasked with it with Mike and hats off to Mike Gomez for doing that because uh those that don't know Joey or do know Joey know that he he continues his uh his servant's heart.
• 3:35
  SPEAKER_00: And uh Joey's got a huge heart uh in dealing with with these kiddos, and and uh it's really cool when he sends me the photos of of seeing those warm faces and and smiles on their faces, and it's just because of the attendance by everybody here at the table to include you know law enforcement agencies.
• 3:50
  SPEAKER_00: And so we're gonna dive off into kind of what that means and and how's TNPA's involvement really benefits Special Olympics and uh how the how they benefit us and how Special Olympics benefits TNPA.
• 3:59
  SPEAKER_00: So let's start off by saying, number one, where'd you two grow up at and how did y'all get involved with Special Olympics and how how that service continues with uh with you ladies?
• 4:09
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, so I grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
• 4:11
  SPEAKER_02: Uh I left 20 something years ago.
• 4:14
  SPEAKER_02: I'm not gonna show my age here, but um grew up there volunteering.
• 4:18
  SPEAKER_02: It was in my family.
• 4:20
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, but when I was working a case in Honolulu, uh, I was actually asked, hey, do you want to come out and volunteer with Special Olympics?
• 4:27
  SPEAKER_02: I went out and immediately was hooked.
• 4:29
  SPEAKER_02: I became a coach, a year-round uh coach as well as unified partner.
• 4:34
  SPEAKER_00: And you were a volunteer at that time.
• 4:36
  SPEAKER_02: Volunteer, yes, absolutely.
• 4:37
  SPEAKER_02: So when I retired, I decided I wanted to continue that love and passion for Special Olympics.
• 4:43
  SPEAKER_02: So when I'm retired here in Texas, uh, and this has now become home for me, it's just been something that's continued.
• 4:49
  SPEAKER_02: So I can continue to do that here.
• 4:51
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, and I I I I I I guess I'll say this.
• 4:54
  SPEAKER_00: I it's from my perspective, me being law enforcement since around 2003, four-ish, Joey.
• 4:59
  SPEAKER_00: I think you started in '95, '91, '91, '92, ninety.
• 5:02
  SPEAKER_00: You know, law enforcement historically has not really been a part of Special Olympics.
• 5:06
  SPEAKER_00: And so now you're starting to see more of a team-up effort uh on on the some of the engagement, community engagement aspects.
• 5:12
  SPEAKER_00: And so it's real rewarding.
• 5:13
  SPEAKER_00: Did you see that back home uh before you moved to Texas, or was it already established?
• 5:16
  SPEAKER_00: And that's kind of what brought it here?
• 5:18
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, it's been established for for some time, but it it has grown tremendously over the last, I'd say, 15 years.
• 5:25
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, it was always in the backbones.
• 5:26
  SPEAKER_02: Law enforcement has been the biggest supporter for Special Olympics since the first World Games, right?
• 5:32
  SPEAKER_02: And it started with one chief and a division and a dream, and here we are today.
• 5:36
  SPEAKER_02: But specifically in Texas, we are in a great location when it comes to support and just getting more agencies involved.
• 5:43
  SPEAKER_02: Thanks to TMPA for doing those introductions, making those things happen.
• 5:47
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and there's obviously work to do.
• 5:49
  SPEAKER_02: Texas is one of the biggest states, as you know.
• 5:52
  SPEAKER_02: And so there's always room for improvement, but that's just a long-standing relationship.
• 5:56
  SPEAKER_02: And the more officers that get involved in agencies that see the benefits of it from the mental health aspect to the community engagement as well as just a feel-good time for the family as well.
• 6:08
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, and there's a different aspect that maybe we haven't even thought about is that as we see the number of suicides uh by law enforcement, you know, it it it truly is a situation where you have to stop and think, you always deal with negative as being a cop, right?
• 6:22
  SPEAKER_00: And so what I view it as is an opportunity for those that are continuing to serve and and and continuing their their service as as cops.
• 6:30
  SPEAKER_00: This is an opportunity for you to be a part of something so much more positive uh and still carry out the weight of the badge, but also give give give hope and and and give uh you know give some some positive vibes to a community that is just so warming and and loving and embracing.
• 6:46
  SPEAKER_00: And so we're just talking about that.
• 6:48
  SPEAKER_00: It's so rewarding to see those.
• 6:49
  SPEAKER_00: But the mental aspect, in my opinion, for the public servants out there that are continuing as as cops, it means something to them as well.
• 6:56
  SPEAKER_00: So it's a two-way street, the way this partnership works.
• 6:58
  SPEAKER_00: And so I don't know if Joey, if you've if you thought about that.
• 7:01
  SPEAKER_00: For you know, obviously, Joey uh was a survivor of a of a critical incident back in 2021.
• 7:06
  SPEAKER_00: Yes, sir.
• 7:07
  SPEAKER_00: And so I you may not admit this, but I I see a a difference in your interaction with the children, and I think some positive give back that you've gotten out of your interaction with the kids and including the staff, and and it's it's it's rewarding for me to see that, not only as your colleague, but as a close friend.
• 7:24
  SPEAKER_01: Uh actually it it it does.
• 7:25
  SPEAKER_01: It uh just the embrace that these athletes give to law enforcement.
• 7:31
  SPEAKER_01: It doesn't matter as long as you're in a uniform, these kids just come up to you and they embrace you, they hug you, they accept you.
• 7:39
  SPEAKER_01: You to them, you're still a hero.
• 7:41
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 7:42
  SPEAKER_01: And that's a that's a big, big, big thing and a big plus that helps um in the law enforcement as being accepted, but also on the mental self health side.
• 7:51
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, for sure.
• 7:52
  SPEAKER_00: And I don't think these these uh these athletes really see the rank, right?
• 7:56
  SPEAKER_00: They don't care if you're a sergeant, chief, officer, they just see a uniform and they see a badge and they see the somebody who who serves and protects, and and so it's just really cool.
• 8:04
  SPEAKER_00: What what type of events do Special Olympics uh participate in where law enforcement can be included uh or can can go to?
• 8:10
  SPEAKER_00: I know we have this the the games and there's there's different are they called meets or what are they called?
• 8:15
  SPEAKER_00: When I keep I know you sent me a lot of photos of different track meet events and stuff.
• 8:19
  SPEAKER_00: What what exactly does that look like?
• 8:21
  SPEAKER_03: So we have different competitions and it based on either areas or regions, like we have five regions in Texas, but we also have state games.
• 8:28
  SPEAKER_03: Right now we have uh coming up Fall Classic, which is in Midland Odessa, so it's full games, and then we'll have summer games and winter games.
• 8:35
  SPEAKER_03: So those are state games.
• 8:37
  SPEAKER_03: The officers can get involved, come come out to participate in opening ceremonies, give athletes their medals, just kind of have a good time with the athletes and talk to them throughout the competition.
• 8:47
  SPEAKER_03: And we get to dance.
• 8:48
  SPEAKER_03: And you get to dance exactly.
• 8:49
  SPEAKER_03: The athletes love to dance, so they will get the officer dancing out there too.
• 8:53
  SPEAKER_03: And not only that, but we have different events specific for law enforcement, like the law enforcement tourist runs throughout the year, like we do just to raise funds, to raise awareness so people to see that hey, look, law enforcement is involved with the athletes and Special Olympics.
• 9:07
  SPEAKER_03: Um so that's some of the events, polar plunges.
• 9:09
  SPEAKER_03: We do all kinds of fire truck pulls, plane pulls, all kinds of stuff that the officers can get involved, and the athletes will be there with them participating, being a unified partner, playing side by side with an athlete.
• 9:21
  SPEAKER_03: Like right now, we are unified partners.
• 9:23
  SPEAKER_03: So we play Boshi and we have a partner that we play, an athlete, and is it's the greatest feeling ever.
• 9:28
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
• 9:29
  SPEAKER_03: Because they're always so cheerful, regardless if they win or lose, it's always a smile on their face.
• 9:33
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, they don't they don't care.
• 9:34
  SPEAKER_00: We have one of our past presidents, uh uh Travis Hammond, very much involved with it's not Special Olympics per se, uh, but it's it's a it's a partner to Special Olympics, and he he participates like in a bowling league with his daughter.
• 9:45
  SPEAKER_00: Uh and his daughter is is just she's just an angel, man.
• 9:50
  SPEAKER_00: And so she's kind of our our our uh she's kind of been a TMPA little sister to a lot of us, and so seeing the joy on her face is just you know really rewarding.
• 9:58
  SPEAKER_00: So And she can dance too.
• 9:59
  SPEAKER_00: She can dance.
• 10:00
  SPEAKER_00: She can dance.
• 10:01
  SPEAKER_00: Katrina, you've worked for Special Olympics for how long?
• 10:04
  SPEAKER_02: I worked for Special Olympics for about two years.
• 10:06
  SPEAKER_02: I went back to being a full-time uh volunteer.
• 10:09
  SPEAKER_02: Uh I just love being retired.
• 10:11
  SPEAKER_02: So and you know, there's there's a greater fulfillment when you're doing it on your own time and doing it for the right reasons.
• 10:18
  SPEAKER_02: It's a passion of mine, and I you know, the athletes make it all worth it.
• 10:24
  SPEAKER_02: So even though I'm just a full-time volunteer, it's it's one of those things that obviously I'll still continue to do until until they make me quit.
• 10:32
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, yeah, for sure, for sure.
• 10:34
  SPEAKER_00: How do how can somebody for for the listener or watcher out there that's uh our viewer, that's uh that's that's looking this podcast, listening, and they want to get involved, and they're they're some kind of administration or just a lot beat beat officer, how what what would be the recommendations that y'all would have for them to get involved with Special Olympics?
• 10:49
  SPEAKER_02: Just reach out to Sharon.
• 10:50
  SPEAKER_02: Um Sharon will will to put them in touch with either local competitions, campaigns that we have, or a team if they wanted to compete or coach or help in the warehouse.
• 11:00
  SPEAKER_02: There's so many different opportunities that we have.
• 11:03
  SPEAKER_02: But the first step is reaching out to your local representative, which would be um Sharon for the South region.
• 11:09
  SPEAKER_02: We have other representatives throughout the state.
• 11:12
  SPEAKER_02: So we have Heather out in the east region, Jordan up in the north, and Jerry out in the west.
• 11:17
  SPEAKER_02: So that's the first step.
• 11:19
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, if they have a question, they can reach out to one of your field reps as well.
• 11:22
  SPEAKER_02: Hey, who's the local Special Olympics representative?
• 11:25
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but if you go to our website, SOTX.org, there's even a uh a drop-down menu for law enforcement torch run.
• 11:32
  SPEAKER_02: You fill out a little form, it goes to the right person and they immediately can connect with you.
• 11:37
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 11:37
  SPEAKER_01: And not only that, but also too, if y'all want to just touch a little bit, um, you know, when there are some major competitions and even uh world games, um, they'll ask law enforcement to, hey, go and and try out.
• 11:51
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I think uh one of our officers out in Bernie, um I I wasn't chosen, I wasn't picked for my for the soccer.
• 11:58
  SPEAKER_01: Because you were in the suit.
• 12:00
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, no, but I didn't make it because uh I had other other engagements, I mean other prior engagements, but but no, uh he's actually gonna be playing in the in the world competitions in soccer, right?
• 12:12
  SPEAKER_01: That's good.
• 12:13
  SPEAKER_01: Correct.
• 12:13
  SPEAKER_01: And uh y'all wanna mention a little bit about who he is?
• 12:17
  SPEAKER_03: Opportunities.
• 12:17
  SPEAKER_03: We have right now, next year we have USA Games.
• 12:20
  SPEAKER_03: So we have Officer uh Gomez from Bernie PD.
• 12:23
  SPEAKER_03: He tried out for the soccer team and it's seven athletes and five unified partners, and he got picked to be part of that team and go to USA Games.
• 12:31
  SPEAKER_03: Um, last year we sent an officer from Odessa to World Games, which is in Italy.
• 12:37
  SPEAKER_03: So it is great opportunities out there for them to attend international conferences that we do.
• 12:42
  SPEAKER_03: Like we have the Minnesota in October.
• 12:45
  SPEAKER_03: Every year we do it in a different state, and they get to go to those conferences.
• 12:49
  SPEAKER_03: So it's it's other events that they can go and participate and get chosen to do.
• 12:54
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
• 12:54
  SPEAKER_02: So that's one of the things I did want to talk about specifically with our relationship with TMPA.
• 12:59
  SPEAKER_02: I am gonna call it a relationship.
• 13:00
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, but it is it's a wonderful give and take, right?
• 13:03
  SPEAKER_02: We we ask for y'all to come out and volunteer a lot of your time.
• 13:07
  SPEAKER_02: We don't say do it alone, we say bring your family.
• 13:09
  SPEAKER_02: That's the wonderful piece.
• 13:10
  SPEAKER_02: It is a family operation.
• 13:12
  SPEAKER_02: And so, but what it is is TMPA is being represented and participation at all levels.
• 13:18
  SPEAKER_02: So from officers with boots on the ground, they're coming out to competitions and volunteering their time, but we also have field reps that are facilitating, they're behind the scenes doing a lot of work.
• 13:27
  SPEAKER_02: And our board members coming out to, you know, statewide competitions or being speakers at leadership conferences.
• 13:34
  SPEAKER_02: So across the board, we have TMPA represented locally to internationally.
• 13:40
  SPEAKER_02: And I think that's such a wonderful stage for for y'all to just shine and see what and let everybody know what y'all are doing.
• 13:46
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, for sure.
• 13:46
  SPEAKER_00: And I think, I mean, compared to the other states across, and you can speak on this if you want to, if you if you have any knowledge of it, what does that look like as far as the TMPA relationship here in Texas and our our involvement here in Texas?
• 13:58
  SPEAKER_00: Is that is that kind of unheard of with other states as far as the the state police associations across the new S or has TMPA kind of been the the the pro the product of kind of what to be across the nation?
• 14:09
  SPEAKER_02: I think in some of the states, to my knowledge, um they don't have that relationship the way we do.
• 14:14
  SPEAKER_02: And they've mentioned it at the international conference.
• 14:16
  SPEAKER_02: They were like, wow, they even highlighted the wonderful things that TMPA is doing with Special Olympics, and they've kind of used that as a model.
• 14:23
  SPEAKER_02: Um some of the other states that are well um, you know, I guess first with what law enforcement should like in in the relationship with Special Olympics, have something similar, but I don't know if it's to this scale.
• 14:34
  SPEAKER_02: Obviously, we're we're rather large, as we mentioned, and the outreach that y'all have, they may not have on that same scale.
• 14:41
  SPEAKER_00: So they don't have Joey.
• 14:44
  SPEAKER_00: They don't have Joey.
• 14:45
  SPEAKER_02: Well, yeah, not everybody has a Joey.
• 14:47
  SPEAKER_00: Well, is there any upcoming events that uh those around the state can attend to maybe kind of get a feel for kind of what it looks like on their aspect or how can they uh find out about those?
• 14:58
  SPEAKER_03: So we have in November we have bowling competitions all throughout the state.
• 15:02
  SPEAKER_03: Um and usually they last from four to fifteen days long.
• 15:05
  SPEAKER_03: So we always ask for officers to go out there, spend time with the athletes, and even if you go just to watch, just to see how it goes, and then maybe you get you know that excitement and want to participate, come and watch.
• 15:16
  SPEAKER_03: And then also in February next year, we have winter games, which are here in on Austin and B Cape and Lake Wake.
• 15:23
  SPEAKER_03: Oh, wow.
• 15:23
  SPEAKER_03: So it's local.
• 15:24
  SPEAKER_03: If you want to go and just see how we do our events, how everything goes, hang out with the athletes, and then maybe you want to get involved.
• 15:31
  SPEAKER_03: Maybe you get that, you know, in your heart that it's something I want to do.
• 15:34
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 15:34
  SPEAKER_02: And the next big event is uh fall classic in Midland, Odessa.
• 15:38
  SPEAKER_02: So that's gonna be October 2nd through the 4th.
• 15:41
  SPEAKER_02: So this will be the uh statewide competition leading into all the other events that she mentioned for that are fall winter games.
• 15:49
  SPEAKER_00: So are the are the athletes is it kind of like a school district participation, or is it parents that that reach out to Special Olympics and say, hey, uh I've got an athlete that wants to participate.
• 15:59
  SPEAKER_00: How does that selection process work or your participation?
• 16:02
  SPEAKER_02: So we have a couple of different options.
• 16:04
  SPEAKER_02: So we do partner with the schools as well.
• 16:06
  SPEAKER_02: So we have a program called Unified Champion Schools, and that's a relationship that some of our staff have that are dedicated to work with the schools to get them on board.
• 16:15
  SPEAKER_02: So that can be anything from an elementary to a college.
• 16:17
  SPEAKER_02: So we do have some of the universities that are uh part of our Unified Champion Schools and they get teams involved, athletes involved, they do unified field days, they they do the whole gamut of things as well.
• 16:28
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but if an athlete, um, let's say somebody that is, you know, eight years old at an elementary and maybe their school isn't participating, they just reach out directly to us and say, hey, is there a delegation in my area or is there a delegation that does X, Y, and Z when it comes to specific sports that they want to be be involved in, they can just reach out to us and we'll we'll connect them with a team already that's established.
• 16:51
  SPEAKER_02: And one of the things I want to touch on is that we have opportunities from ages two to whenever they want to stop participating.
• 16:58
  SPEAKER_02: So some of our oldest athletes are, you know, have been in their 80s.
• 17:02
  SPEAKER_02: So they don't stop competing.
• 17:04
  SPEAKER_02: And that's one of the key things that a lot of people forget is they think once they transition out of school, there's no opportunities.
• 17:10
  SPEAKER_02: But we will continue, we will have my delegation, for instance, has probably the the largest population of of older category when it comes to athletes.
• 17:20
  SPEAKER_02: So we will never turn an athlete away.
• 17:22
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and we we just would love the participation.
• 17:25
  SPEAKER_02: So it gives them something to continue to look forward to after graduation or you know, as they get older, they also have other life responsibilities, but they can still continue to participate.
• 17:36
  SPEAKER_00: Joel, you've been involved in this really since day one, since the official partners what do you what would you refer to it as?
• 17:41
  SPEAKER_00: Partnership.
• 17:41
  SPEAKER_00: Partnership.
• 17:42
  SPEAKER_00: The official partnership has kind of taken place.
• 17:44
  SPEAKER_00: What's been the most rewarding thing that you've been a part of that you've seen uh that you may not have gotten, you know, been given that opportunity uh involved with Special Olympics?
• 17:55
  SPEAKER_01: So my involvement in Special Olympics uh started a little ways back.
• 17:59
  SPEAKER_01: Uh we used to have uh a uh it was, I guess what would you call it, a marathon, maybe?
• 18:06
  SPEAKER_01: Uh torch run.
• 18:07
  SPEAKER_01: A torch run.
• 18:07
  SPEAKER_01: Torch rum.
• 18:08
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, it was it was uh the law enforcement torchworm, but it was back in the day when it would go from city to city to city.
• 18:13
  SPEAKER_01: Okay.
• 18:14
  SPEAKER_01: So when it came to San Antonio back in the day when I was younger and fitter and you know, a lot look I look a lot sharper, um, I used to ride motors and um I would escort the runners from the start of the border of San Antonio all the way to the end to where I guess it would be in like New Bromfels or somewhere where they would leave give off the torch or hand off the torch to the Austin area.
• 18:37
  SPEAKER_01: And so that was my participation at the very at the very beginning.
• 18:42
  SPEAKER_01: Um now that I'm doing this um in a partnership with TMPA, uh it's just been like since day one that we went or I went to a a state competition.
• 18:54
  SPEAKER_01: Now some of the athletes know me.
• 18:56
  SPEAKER_01: I mean, you know, they they they come and they ask or they talk to me on a name, uh first name basis.
• 19:03
  SPEAKER_01: And uh and some of these athletes, man, let me tell you, they're very competitive.
• 19:07
  SPEAKER_01: They'll start talking trash to you, you know.
• 19:09
  SPEAKER_01: Uh so I have competed with some of these athletes, and uh, they're no joke, man.
• 19:14
  SPEAKER_01: They're no joke.
• 19:15
  SPEAKER_01: Uh so just that uh and especially me being in sports all all this whole time, um, you know, that's just uh it's heartwarming, man.
• 19:24
  SPEAKER_01: And and it's very you just feel special.
• 19:27
  SPEAKER_01: You really do.
• 19:28
  SPEAKER_01: Um, you know, I can walk somewhere and all of a sudden you hear your name and it's like, oh my God, I remember you from two competitions ago or three competitions ago, and they remember you.
• 19:37
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 19:38
  SPEAKER_01: Um, same thing with being Torchi, you know, uh the first time that we uh presented Torchy, um, it was at uh the winter conference, right?
• 19:46
  SPEAKER_01: It was at winter conference, and um and uh Katrino, of course, was was my was my guide at the time, and we went to some of the competitions uh at gyms and and outside uh field games, and brother, they knew Torchi from the very beginning.
• 20:01
  SPEAKER_01: He started screaming out his name, and I was like, even though they can't see my face, right?
• 20:06
  SPEAKER_01: I had a I had a grin from ear to ear.
• 20:08
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, there's definitely gotta be a warm sensation as far as the in your in your heart when you when you had those kids and you see their faces light up, and and you're just a feeling that you know it's not an it's not an empty because oh I ever everybody that I've ever come in contact with Special Olympics is so heartwarming to see.
• 20:22
  SPEAKER_00: But you know, again, kudos to you for being involved and and and kudos to to TMPA.
• 20:27
  SPEAKER_00: Absolutely for our board of directors to you know have had the mindset to uh to partner with such a phenomenal organization and and be a part of it.
• 20:36
  SPEAKER_00: I think from my perspective on how we can get members more involved is just to continue doing what we're doing, right?
• 20:41
  SPEAKER_00: To be there for the events, push the information out.
• 20:44
  SPEAKER_00: Uh you've been involved with with Special Olympics for a very lengthy part of time.
• 20:48
  SPEAKER_00: You're telling me now that that the the relationships with law enforcement are strengthening.
• 20:53
  SPEAKER_00: Where do you see uh this kind of going in the next five years and what what what would your hopes and dreams be uh not just with TMPA, but just in law enforcement in in in general?
• 21:06
  SPEAKER_03: Um my dream is to have every single law enforcement agency involved.
• 21:10
  SPEAKER_03: That's my dream, to have every single one of them involved in some sort of way.
• 21:13
  SPEAKER_03: Even if it's just coming and watching and spending time with the athletes to going through like the bigger events, to the bigger competitions, to world games, to USA games, but to have that, um spend that time with the athletes that I know is gonna be so good for them for their heart, for their health, uh mental health.
• 21:29
  SPEAKER_03: So that's my dream to have every one of them involved.
• 21:32
  SPEAKER_00: That'd be cool.
• 21:32
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I was I was talking to somebody the other day and and and we they were mentioning um explorers.
• 21:37
  SPEAKER_00: And and I had the mindset, I was talking to Joey, I believe, and how how cool would it be if we could intertwine Special Olympics and some kind of y'all know are y'all familiar with the Explorer program?
• 21:48
  SPEAKER_00: If we could intertwine Special Olympics with the Explorer program to kind of get that kicked off.
• 21:52
  SPEAKER_00: But you know, just just a just a thought.
• 21:54
  SPEAKER_01: Oh no, that's a that's a great idea.
• 21:55
  SPEAKER_01: Uh and it also too is is it's not only just the mindset of of the officers and boots on the ground, but it I I think also too is trying to teach uh the leadership in each department uh to participate.
• 22:11
  SPEAKER_01: Get get your get your department out there, get get them uh uh to give back a little bit to the community.
• 22:17
  SPEAKER_01: And and it's not just in your uh intermediate community, but I'm talking about you're letting your department be shown in the whole state.
• 22:26
  SPEAKER_00: Well, and I think it's important to highlight that.
• 22:27
  SPEAKER_00: I think that we can reflect back on major situations across the country that are law enforcement specific, for example, to George Floyd.
• 22:34
  SPEAKER_00: And the reality is this, is that sadly I don't think law enforcement had the mindset to have the positivity uh to build that political capital, right?
• 22:43
  SPEAKER_00: To build that political capital to cash in on George Floyd type situations.
• 22:47
  SPEAKER_00: And just like you mentioned, uh one community in South Texas that's involved that the did the you know the state may recognize as this one agency, that could affect East Texas, North Texas.
• 22:58
  SPEAKER_00: We saw it in in Ferguson, we saw we saw it with George Floyd.
• 23:01
  SPEAKER_00: Absolutely.
• 23:02
  SPEAKER_00: One law enforcement incident affects really all of us.
• 23:04
  SPEAKER_00: And I think that you know, to your point about getting all agencies involved is that it's the commitment.
• 23:08
  SPEAKER_00: And I think it's the commitment to be better, uh to humanize that badge and to make make make the citizens and communities realize is that now we're all humans, we all bleed red at the end of the day.
• 23:18
  SPEAKER_00: And for law enforcement to be involved, it may it really does make a big impact.
• 23:22
  SPEAKER_02: Absolutely.
• 23:22
  SPEAKER_02: And that that can roll over into the the community as a whole because uh, for example, uh the Special Olympics CEO, his son became a law enforcement officer because of Special Olympics and their involvement with law enforcement.
• 23:36
  SPEAKER_02: He just saw that positive impact and that role model, that true hero in his eyes, and he got to see that on a regular basis.
• 23:44
  SPEAKER_02: And so now he's uh he's a law enforcement officer as well.
• 23:46
  SPEAKER_02: And so not just the impact it has on our athletes, but community in general.
• 23:51
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, you know what ADC he works at?
• 23:53
  SPEAKER_02: He's out of Arizona.
• 23:54
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, that's cool.
• 23:55
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 23:55
  SPEAKER_00: I mean that but that right there, and and again, the the we we we we kind of go back to trying to get the retention and recruitment crisis that's law enforcement, which is significant right now, and we're trying to old cops, new cops, and organizations that represent cops are trying to get uh different ideas in order to get that recruiting aspect going.
• 24:12
  SPEAKER_00: And it's just and I go back to this too, the the cops, the TV show.
• 24:16
  SPEAKER_00: Like it or love it, but I think that was probably one of the most creative uh and best recruiting tools that law enforcement have had uh over the over the years.
• 24:24
  SPEAKER_00: Now we don't have it uh here here locally.
• 24:27
  SPEAKER_00: But nonetheless what do you think what's been the most rewarding today as a volunteer and or employee with being with Special Olympics in the in the law enforcement capacity?
• 24:40
  SPEAKER_00: For meeting Joey.
• 24:41
  SPEAKER_00: Oh, I'm sorry.
• 24:42
  SPEAKER_03: Okay.
• 24:43
  SPEAKER_03: No, for me it was like I I started volunteering when I got here to Texas.
• 24:47
  SPEAKER_03: I grew up in Puerto Rico, so I didn't really see that.
• 24:51
  SPEAKER_03: When I I was in the military, I was here in San Antonio, I was in San Antonio, and I got to go to a beauty pageant for athletes.
• 24:58
  SPEAKER_03: And I was in charge of like an athlete for the whole day to make sure she was ready, to go through all the the events throughout the day.
• 25:05
  SPEAKER_03: And I saw that athlete like two, three years later, and she recognized me.
• 25:09
  SPEAKER_03: So that was so like wow, I spent one day with this athlete and she knew who I was a few years later, came and gave me a hug, you are back.
• 25:17
  SPEAKER_03: And that was so like wow, it warmed my heart a lot because it's like and I know how the with the law enforcement also.
• 25:24
  SPEAKER_03: My father was a in law enforcement, and I saw that hate that you know, when something happened, and to know that there's an organization that you can go and they will you know, they'll be there with open arms is is a great feeling because I know that my dad went through some stuff and he was uh in the law enforcement, and my brother is there also.
• 25:43
  SPEAKER_03: So I it was a very um personal feeling for me.
• 25:47
  SPEAKER_00: Are they still back home?
• 25:49
  SPEAKER_03: Yes.
• 25:49
  SPEAKER_00: Okay.
• 25:49
  SPEAKER_00: We have some listeners in Puerto Rico, believe it or not, so maybe maybe maybe we can we just gain two more.
• 25:56
  SPEAKER_00: Karina, what's your most uh impactful moment uh dealing with Special Olympics?
• 26:00
  SPEAKER_02: I don't know that there's one impactful moment, but I think it's the relationships that I've built with the athletes.
• 26:06
  SPEAKER_02: There's a few in particular that, you know, when they see you and they're just like big smile, big heart, and there's Katrina! I'm good to see you.
• 26:15
  SPEAKER_02: I haven't seen you in two days, right?
• 26:17
  SPEAKER_02: Um But you know, the friendships that I've built with some of our athletes, they'll text you, they'll call you, they'll check in on you, and you know, they remember the most important things that you talk about.
• 26:27
  SPEAKER_02: It's amazing.
• 26:28
  SPEAKER_02: And I think it's just the friendships and the relationships with the athletes that has meant the most to me.
• 26:33
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, and I think there's a misconception.
• 26:35
  SPEAKER_00: I'll just call it what it is.
• 26:36
  SPEAKER_00: I think the misconception of some of the athletes' abilities is that these are uh they're adults, right?
• 26:43
  SPEAKER_00: And they they can carry on that there's different severities of what different athletes have.
• 26:48
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and that's what that's what's cool with because you talk about them calling and checking on you.
• 26:52
  SPEAKER_00: They're they're they they recognize those things.
• 26:54
  SPEAKER_00: So I guess my point is is that for those that don't think that they're able to do that, again, there's different severities of different uh athletes and their capabilities.
• 27:03
  SPEAKER_00: And so that's what the beauty behind Special Olympics is that you guys cater to those and allow everyone to participate in those sporting events so that we you know everybody wins at the end of the day, right?
• 27:13
  SPEAKER_00: And so everybody's able to participate in that winning aspect.
• 27:16
  SPEAKER_00: So anyway, Joey, did we cover everything that we needed to on Special Olympics that you guys want to touch on or or or kind of fill in?
• 27:24
  SPEAKER_02: I think we're just filled with gratitude in this moment for you know the partnership with TMPA.
• 27:29
  SPEAKER_02: So a huge thank you to everyone that is supporting, that is a part of this, and continues to do so.
• 27:35
  SPEAKER_02: But we would love to grow.
• 27:36
  SPEAKER_02: So thank you very much.
• 27:38
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, for sure.
• 27:38
  SPEAKER_00: Those that can donate to Special Olympics, you can do so at give give let's get some information to the listener uh on how they can they can donate uh financially to assist with Special Olympics.
• 27:48
  SPEAKER_03: Sure.
• 27:49
  SPEAKER_03: Well, they can actually go to the website, the same website that Katrina mentioned earlier, it's ots.org, and it will be a link in there for donation.
• 27:55
  SPEAKER_03: So you just donate, click on it, and it's a way to eat their credit cards.
• 27:58
  SPEAKER_03: You can mail a check if you want to, or come straight to our office.
• 28:02
  SPEAKER_03: So yeah.
• 28:03
  SPEAKER_01: Yep.
• 28:04
  SPEAKER_01: There's there's a couple of uh ways also too that law enforcement and the community can also get involved.
• 28:09
  SPEAKER_01: Is we have uh upcoming events that uh that uh will kind of get you have to go and get sponsorship and stuff like that.
• 28:18
  SPEAKER_01: But it's it's all fun.
• 28:19
  SPEAKER_01: So like one of the big ones that I want to uh emphasize is the the polar plunge.
• 28:23
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 28:24
  SPEAKER_01: And uh and man, I'm telling you, there's there's some there are some uh law enforcement uh partners and officers out there, and you know who I'm speaking to uh or about, is they go all out, man.
• 28:37
  SPEAKER_01: They'll come and they'll get dressed up, they'll they'll they'll plunge, they'll they'll bring in their team, and it's it's a little competition between two departments where hey, let me let's see who who who uh can uh uh get the response.
• 28:50
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 28:51
  SPEAKER_01: And uh and it's funny because one will go to the other department's area to to get donations, and then that one will go to this one.
• 28:58
  SPEAKER_01: And it's it's it's just a lot of fun and and it goes all goes to a good cause.
• 29:01
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, for sure.
• 29:02
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, you uh and for for a very, very, very small amount of money, I'm sure you can help you know assist um and give some of these kids and athletes uh the ability to you know feel a part of a team and and compete, and that's that at the end of the day is really what matters.
• 29:16
  SPEAKER_00: So I can't thank y'all enough for the continuation of what you guys do, having the servants' heart to go out there and uh interact with these athletes and give them the ability to compete at that level.
• 29:26
  SPEAKER_00: It's uh it truly is rewarding.
• 29:28
  SPEAKER_00: So Joey, yes.
• 29:30
  SPEAKER_00: Well, good luck to you down there in uh the old San Antonio area.
• 29:33
  SPEAKER_00: It looks like you're fixing to get a new district attorney.
• 29:36
  SPEAKER_00: Uh the election is coming up, and I'm sure we'll have some involvement in that.
• 29:39
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, we'll have to wait and see.
• 29:40
  SPEAKER_00: But yeah, good things are on the rise there in San Antonio since you've been a part of it.
• 29:44
  SPEAKER_00: So thank you, man.
• 29:45
  SPEAKER_00: Appreciate that.
• 29:45
  SPEAKER_00: Appreciate it.
• 29:46
  SPEAKER_00: We're hoping for a new mayor in Buckle this time.
• 29:47
  SPEAKER_00: We're gonna get on change the subject.
• 29:50
  SPEAKER_00: Hey, you guys take care.
• 29:51
  SPEAKER_00: Again, visit specialolympicstexas.com to make those donations.
• 29:55
  SPEAKER_00: We're gonna put the information right here on your screen and the information in the podcast.
• 30:00
  SPEAKER_00: Information uh summary so you can access the website and make those donations.
• 30:05
  SPEAKER_00: Greatly appreciate you guys, greatly appreciate our members for the continuation that we wanted to bring them on there to highlight this is that you may think that TNTA is solely about legal coverage, and and the reality is that our our hands are in everything law enforcement related.
• 30:19
  SPEAKER_00: And one of those is human eyes and the badge, and we're very, very honored uh and humbled to be a part of Special Olympics, and we're going to continue this partnership and relationship uh to better fit the uh the view of law enforcement.
• 30:29
  SPEAKER_00: And so can't do it without you guys, can't do it without you, Joey.
• 30:32
  SPEAKER_00: Greatly appreciate you and all your hard work you've done with them.
• 30:34
  SPEAKER_00: So, hey, you guys take care, stay safe, stay cool.
• 30:37
  SPEAKER_00: It's the first day of fall here when we're recording this, and super excited about that.
• 30:41
  SPEAKER_00: It won't be any 98-degree weather, 102.
• 30:43
  SPEAKER_00: We're looking forward to the cool weather.
• 30:44
  SPEAKER_00: So take care, stay safe, God bless you, and as always, and God bless Texas.
• 30:48
  SPEAKER_00: We're out of the way.