Officer Mark Wiesemann named 2013 Letz Award Winner

Congratulations to our “unsung hero” Officer Mark Wiesemann

Officer Mark Wiesemann of the Lee’s Summit Police Department was awarded the John Michael Letz Award, the highest award presented by the Missouri Law Enforcement Torch Run® program. Officer Wiesemann’s dedication to the Law Enforce Torch Run® (LETR) over the past 11 years has made all the difference, especially to the Special Olympics Missouri athletes in the KC Metro Area.

The John Michael Letz Award recognizes an individual whose unselfish efforts and contributions are directly responsible for the success of the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics. The recipient is an individual who constantly works to do more, not for recognition, but rather in support of SOMO athletes.

On Dec. 12, Officer Wiesemann joined his colleagues as well as past recipients of the Letz Award at the 2013 Law Enforcement Torch Run Awards Ceremony held at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. The 2012 Letz Award recipient, Sgt. Mark Koeller, acknowledged Wiesemann for his hard work and dedication. Exceeding the required criteria to receive this award, Wiesemann’s dedication includes serving as his agencies’ Torch Run Coordinator for the last 11 years. Under his direction, the agency raised more than $490,000 for Special Olympics Missouri. Of particular note, is his leadership as the chairman of the largest Polar Plunge event in the state. During the nine year history, this event generated more than $1,381,000 – and in 2013 hit an all-time high of $289,000. He also served for three years on the Games Management Team for SOMO’s State and Regional Basketball Tournaments. During the presentation in front of nearly 300 law enforcement peers and supporters, the Koeller said, “What sets Officer Wiesemann apart is his ability to bring people to the table who contribute in major ways to SOMO; he recruits leaders, sponsors, in-kind contributors, media partners and orchestrates it all in a fashion of “game day” for college football.”

The John Michael Letz Award, established in December 1994, is named after Mike Letz because of his long-time efforts while serving on the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. The St. Louis Trivia Night fundraiser was his creation and it continues today raising more than $160,000 since its inception. There are trivia nights all over Missouri as well as in other states now as a result of the one he started in St. Louis.

Missouri’s Law Enforcement Torch Run ranks No. 7 in the world for funds raised for Special Olympics – law enforcement’s charity of choice worldwide.

For more information about LETR or the LETR Conference including the Letz Award please visit contact Susan Stegeman, Vice President at (800) 846-2682 or stegeman@somo.org.