When it comes to the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Special Olympics Virginia, both Sgt. Lori Fadorick and Superintendent David Cox have found more than volunteer opportunities, they have found a community and a mission they care for deeply. The pair have been involved for years, and most recently they’ve become the driving force behind one of the Commonwealth’s most exciting new events: the Southwest Virginia Plane Pull.
Lori has been involved in LETR for more than 15 years. What started as coordinating her agency’s Torch Run grew into a deep passion for supporting athletes and rallying the law enforcement community to do the same. “The camaraderie and being able to interact with the athletes hooked me,” she shared. From Torch Runs and Feet Meets to Polar Plunges, Tip-a-Cops, and even a 5K Zombie Run, Lori has led with energy and vision. For her, the Plane Pull was a natural next step: “It brings our law enforcement, the community, and our athletes and their families together in a fun and exciting way.”
David Cox has been connected to LETR for about 15 years as well, but his leadership grew significantly when he became Superintendent of the Western Virginia Regional Jail in 2021. He credits Lori with nudging him toward deeper involvement. “Initially, it was due to Lori pushing me to get more involved,” he said. “Once I did, it became a labor of love in seeing the impact of our efforts in the lives of the athletes and their families and supporters.”
Together, Lori and David wanted to build something lasting for their region. Having seen success with past fundraisers like the Zombie Run, they dreamed of creating an event that could engage the larger community and grow over the years. The Plane Pull was the perfect fit. “I was very excited about having something in our part of the state that so many can get behind and raise a significant amount in support of our athletes,” Cox explained. “It’s also a great deal of fun, because I love aviation and my hometown, and it just all blends together.”
“ The Plane Pull brings our law enforcement, the community, and our athletes and their families together in a fun and exciting way” - Lori Fadorick
For both leaders, Plane Pull is about more than moving an aircraft across the tarmac, it’s about momentum. It’s about giving Southwest Virginia a signature event to rally around, showcasing the partnership between law enforcement and Special Olympics Virginia and inspiring future generations to get involved. As Cox put it, “It’s something set in the mountainous, more rural part of the Commonwealth which often doesn’t have a larger, signature Special Olympics event like other areas do. As we learn to market the event to participants, sponsors, and supporters, I think it will really ‘take off.’”
Thanks to their shared passion and leadership, Lori Fadorick and Superintendent David Cox are not only strengthening torch run involvement in Southwest Virginia, but they’re also creating a legacy through the Southwest Virginia Plane Pull that will inspire athletes, families, and the community for years to come.
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