Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office Joins 2026 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Oklahoma

Tulsa County sheriff’s deputies and officers from the Broken Arrow Police Department dove into freezing water Saturday morning in downtown Tulsa as part of the 2026 Polar Plunge to raise money for Special Olympics Oklahoma, and the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office raised $3,820, KTUL reported. NewsOn6 described officers and deputies braving icy water in the annual fundraiser that draws law enforcement teams across the state.

The Polar Plunge is one element of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) fundraising campaign that supports Special Olympics Oklahoma. Sources cite a required minimum of $75 raised per plunger to participate; KTUL and OKCFOX both reference that rule tied to Special Olympics Oklahoma. OKCFOX reported the season starts in late January and runs through February with multiple locations including Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, and Stillwater, while NewsOn6 noted 14 plunges held across the state during the month of February.

Deputy Joe Peters of the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office framed the plunge as personal and programmatic. “It’s one of our big events to help support the 12,500 athletes that Oklahoma has that participate in the Special Olympics,” Peters said to NewsOn6. “For me, it’s dear to my heart because we get to go out and help those athletes.”

Fundraising and recognition for the LETR campaign were highlighted at the Law Enforcement Torch Run Luncheon at Tulsa Tech’s Lemley Memorial Campus, where KOKH and Tulsa Police Department posts said approximately 175 officers from across Oklahoma attended, including Chief Dennis Larsen. The Tulsa Police Department received the Champion Award for funds raised in 2025, and the Tulsa Fraternal Order of Police received a plaque for continuous sponsorship, KOKH/Tulsapolice reported. Officer Metcalf spoke at the luncheon and remains active in Tip-A-Cop events, the Polar Plunge, and other fundraising efforts.

Statewide context shows broader goals and mixed tallies: KOKH and Tulsa Police Department posts reported LETR raised more than $618,000 in 2025 and said organizers hope to top that in 2026. OKCFOX highlighted local department targets and outreach efforts, noting the Del City Police Department hopes to raise $2,000 and the Moore Police Department is accepting donations via its social channels. OKCFOX also listed Chickasha’s Jan. 24 plunge as the season’s first challenge.

Coverage included local media images: KTUL ran a photo gallery under the header “Local law enforcement takes part in 2026 Special Olympics Polar Plunge,” with several image files associated with the story. KTUL also reported that the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office “thanked everyone who participated and donated for their generosity and support.”

Numbers for how many Special Olympics participants the statewide program serves vary across outlets: Deputy Peters cited 12,500 athletes to NewsOn6, OKCFOX referenced “over 12,400” participants, and NewsOn6 elsewhere used “more than 12,000.” LETR organizers and local departments continue fundraising through the Polar Plunge and related events as they aim to increase support for Oklahoma athletes during the January–February plunge season.