If you ever have the chance to sit down for a cup of coffee with a police officer and find out what their day to day is like they will tell you, it's busy. Between the work schedule and personal family lives it's hard to find time for a whole lot else - but that doesn’t stop Senior Deputy Sheriff Jason Der from dedicating his time to Saskatchewan Law Enforcement Torch Run and Special Olympics Saskatchewan!
DS. Der, a self-proclaimed “behind the scenes guy”, has been volunteering for LETR since 2016. If we are being honest, it feels like he has always been around supporting LETR and our athletes. DS. Der has served on the Provincial LETR Committee and is always a go-to volunteer for Cops and Crepes and Free Our Finest. He is a natural fit with our organization and a hit with our athletes.
“I volunteer to support the athletes. They are an amazing bunch filled with enthusiasm and energy that is contagious and refreshing. I also love working with officers from other agencies in a common purpose to support Special Olympics.”
DS. Der has travelled across the province to participate and volunteer at Polar Plunges, across the country to attend National LETR Conferences, and out of the country to International LETR Conferences. He has a wealth of knowledge regarding LETR across the globe which has made him a huge asset to the Saskatchewan LETR.
“There are so many great memories that I’ve made over the years. There are the fundraisers where I have been able to volunteer side by side with officers from all over the province, the conferences where I have learned so much and met so many other LETR volunteers from around the world, and then there are the games and the athletes themselves that always put a smile on my face.”
Taking on the role of social media manager for Saskatchewan LETR means that DS. Der puts a lot of extra time into his volunteering on a regular day to day basis - something that he says is worth it.
“Special Olympics is the epitome of community inclusion. I am always astounded at the power of sport to bring all the elements of our community together.”
Thank you, DS. Der for serving our communities and for dedicating so much to LETR and our athletes. Your dedication does not go unnoticed.
Are you in law enforcement and interested in becoming involved with Law Enforcement Torch Run? Please contact LETR Liaison, Jeff Zerr at jzerr@specialolympics.sk.ca
“If I had to pick [a favourite memory] it would probably be during the 2017 Saskatchewan Summer Games. It was the first time I lead a parade of athletes into a stadium, and I will always remember how happy they were to have me bring them in as they cheered and waved to everyone the whole time.”
