TDCJ employees raise $150,000 for Special Olympics through torch run

CID Region III Director Brian Rodeen joined Eric Guerrero, assistant warden at the Lynaugh Unit in Fort Stockton, and Cindy Skipper, assistant warden’s secretary at the Telford Unit in New Boston, in presenting the check representing the agency’s contribution to the organization. The contribution does not include donations made to Special Olympics through the State Employee Charitable Campaign.

Celebrating its 27th anniversary in 2008, the Law Enforcement Torch Run is an event that raises money for Special Olympics programs on a local and international level. TDCJ units recognized this year for their efforts and support of Special Olympics Texas included:

1st Place – Sayle Unit, Breckenridge

2nd Place – Jester IV Facility, Sugar Land

3rd Place – Tulia Transfer Facility, Tulia

1st Place – Neal Unit, Pampa

2nd Place – Dalhart Unit, Dalhart

3rd Place – Lopez State Jail, Edinburg

1st Place – Clements Unit, Amarillo

2nd Place – Telford Unit, New Boston

3rd Place – Robertson Unit, Abilene

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Montford Unit CO IV Michael Homer made a bit of history in June by winning the gold medal in the karate competition at the Texas Police Athletic Federal Olympics held on South Padre Island. Until this year, no TDCJ security officer had won a gold medal in an individual event at the games.

Homer bested an agent with the Drug Enforcement Agency to win the gold medal. He was invited to the games by Lubbock Independent School District security officer Darren Walters, who holds seven national and five world titles in karate and serves as Homer’s Sensei coach.

“Walters told me when I committed to the games, ‘Do what I say, when I say, and how I say, and you’ll come home with the gold,’” Homer said. “He never said it would be easy.”

At 6-2 and 205 pounds, Walters said Homer, who started out kickboxing as a way to exercise, has a “devastating right side kick.”

“I love using the side kicks,” Homer said. “I left a lot of sweat and blood in the ring, not to mention a few cracked ribs along the way, but when they put the gold medal around your neck, it’s all worth it.”

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