Officer's good will extends to Special Olympics Arizona

Officer Earl Rosencrantz of the Arizona State University Police Department not only maintains his law-enforcement duties to help the ASU community, but also extends that community to include Special Olympics Arizona.

This April, Rosencrantz rallied 24 fellow ASU Police Department officers and four Student Recreation Complex staffers to run in the Arizona Law Enforcement Torch Run (AZLETR) for Special Olympics.

“This year our department ran about seven miles and raised about $600 in LETR T-shirt sales,” he said. “The SRC also pledged to assist with future torch runs by opening up participation to their staff, students and running clubs, which we hope will bring in more funds.”

According to the AZLETR website, during the spring and summertime, law enforcement employees carry the Special Olympics Torch in a string of runs spanning Arizona and around the world.

When the ASU Police Department became actively involved with AZLETR about two years ago, Rosencrantz volunteered to lead the department’s fundraising efforts for Special Olympics Arizona and serve as the departmental liaison.

“I chose to be the liaison because Special Olympics is a great cause and it’s a small thing I can do to help others,” Rosencrantz says.

Rosencrantz believes that supporting the AZLETR is important for the ASU Police Department, as the department’s efforts perhaps can positively influence others at ASU and its neighboring communities to become more involved with philanthropy. But it is not just about promoting good will in the community, volunteering gives Rosencrantz personal fulfillment.

“Being a part of the department’s events/fundraising activities gives me satisfaction knowing that I helped raise monies and awareness to help those with special needs improve their lives,” he says.

Rosencrantz currently is assigned to the Downtown Phoenix campus and joined the ASU Police Department nine years ago.

“Over the years, Rosencrantz has proved himself to be an asset to ASU as a law-enforcement officer and as a community-engagement ambassador,” said ASU Police Department Chief John Pickens. “His philanthropic efforts hopefully will encourage more employees to support the AZLETR, and inspire others to learn more about the department’s volunteer program.”

Learn more about becoming a volunteer for the ASU Police Department by visiting the ASU Volunteers in Public Service program Web page, which details civilian opportunities for those who wish to support the department across ASU’s four-campus community.