Algonquin top cop named to Torch Run hall of fame

Russell Laine, Algonquin’s longtime, highly decorated police chief, recently added yet another award to his collection.

The International Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics inducted Laine into its hall of fame, an honor that recognizes his devotion to Special Olympics athletes. Induction into the group’s Richard LaMunyon Law Enforcement Torch Run Hall of Fame is the highest honor the organization bestows.

“I was shocked — just to be nominated is really an honor,” Laine said. “It’s symbolic of all the hard work that everyone around here does, all the men and women of the police department, but also the village in their support.”

Laine has been Algonquin’s police chief since 1985 and initially got involved with the torch run in 1990 when the organization had raised $20,000. This year, the group is expected to raise $3 million. Over the last five years, the Algonquin Police Department has raised $110,000 toward those efforts with a range of activities that have included trivia tournaments, a basketball game and the Polar Plunge into Lake Michigan.

Laine remembered the torch run as he moved up in law enforcement circles.

From the time he was named sixth vice president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and rose through the ranks to become its president, he encouraged fellow members to support the Special Olympics. He’s also led torch run efforts in Illinois and all over the world.

“I see the difference it makes in people’s lives. There’s nothing like working with an athlete or seeing an athlete who is provided the opportunity to really grow, both physically and mentally,” Laine said. “They’re provided an opportunity that really in our society they’re not often given. I firmly believe that people in Special Olympics are not looking for a handout, they just want the opportunity to try.”

Laine is now the association’s past president and joined the Special Olympics Illinois board of directors in 2010.

He was inducted into the hall of fame Nov. 9 during ILETR’s annual conference.