In life, some people choose to avoid what can be difficult, different, or special, and then there are those extraordinary people who run toward it!
Osage Beach Police Sergeant Travis Morley is one of those extraordinary people. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and later Reed City, Michigan, where he graduated in 2003, he joined the U.S. Army and served in the 1st Infantry Division. His service took him to Ft. Benning,Georgia, Iraq, and two tours in Germany. When his time of service came to an end, he was left wondering where his skills and experiences from the past years could best be applied He landed in St. Louis, Missouri in 2006, where he attended the Police Academy. After graduating in 2007, his path led him to Lake of the Ozarks and 
a position on the Osage Beach Police Force. It was there that he found his next calling of service when he was introduced to the world of special needs and disabilities through the LETR (Law Enforcement Torch Run) and Special Olympics.
LETR was created in 1981 when Wichita Police Chief Richard LaMunyon wanted to get his afficers involved in community service.When he learned of Special Olympics, LaMunyon knew he had found his answer. What began as a grassroots local effort has reached an international level LETR is a year-round fundraising and awareness-building program designed to empower members of the law enforcement community to support Special Olympics athletes who live, work, and compete locally. Some of the fundraisers, to name a couple, include the Polar Plunge and Cops on Top, where, a week before the Polar Plunge, officers sit on the roof of the Hy-Vee gas station for 12 hours and lower buckets for donations. LETR has raised over $600,000,000, and 100% of all funds raised goes directly to support Special Olympics.
Special Olympics began in the backyard of Eunice Kennedy Shriver in the 1950. She saw how unjustly and unfairly people with intellectual disabilities were treated, and it concerned her that many children with disabilities didn’t even have an accommodating place to play. Her goal was to see what their abilities were in sports and other activities, rather than dwell on what they could not do. Through years of perseverance, Special Olympics was born and is now active in over 200 countries.
LETR was already active in the Osage Beach PD so, it was a perfect opportunity for Travis to continue his call to service. He learned in the 1950s. She saw how unjustly and unfairly people with intellectual disabilities were treated, and it concerned her that many children with disabilities didn’t even have an accommodating place to play. Her goal was to see what their abilities were in sports and other activities, rather than dwell on what they could not do. Through years of perseverance, Special Olympics was born and is now active in over 200 countries.LETR was already active in the Osage Beach PD so, it was a perfect opportunity for Travis to continue his call to service. He learned Carden County didn’t have a head coach of all Special Olympics sports, so he, along with his wife Lexi, and friend Luke Phillips, began coaching. They oversee bowling, bocce ball, track and field, flag football and are trying to get basketball going as well. One is required to be trained and certified to become a Specil Olympics coach. Travis wife Dillexic, an Osage Beach g11 Dispatch Supervisor, also became certified and has been an important part of this journey for them both. Travis and Dililexie have two daughters, Camila (15) and Alejandra (13), along with Dililexie’s sons, AJ (28) and Aidan (25).
Travis remarks that his time spent with all of his athletes is special in its own way. He sees these boys, girls, men, and women beyond their disabili-ties. He sees them joking around with their wonderful sense of humor. He sees their minds working to accomplish a task or reach a goal, be it large or small. He sees them enjoying being a part of a community, and together they are all WINNERS!
May we all learn from him and follow his path of service, either by lending a hand or making a donation. You can read more about these organizations at I.F.TR.org and SpecialOlympics.org.
A very special thank you to Sergeant Travis Morley for his service to our country, county, and, above all else, to those with special needs.
