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11/02/2016 08:00 AMWhen it comes to helping Branford Police support Special Olympics CT, Patrol Officer Joseph Herten is definitely an MVP.
About five years ago, Joe took on the role of co-organizing the department’s Special Olympics CT fundraising events with his equally-energetic colleague, Sgt. Stanley “Stosh” Koneksy III. With help and support from the community, Branford Police Department (BPD) has gone on to become recognized throughout the state as one of the most creative and successful fundraising departments to support Special Olympics CT.
Last year, they hit their goal to make BPD one of the top three fundraisers of all Connecticut police departments participating in the Special Olympics Torch Run. In that same year, Joe also established Connecticut’s first Special Olympics/Police CrossFit Challenge fundraiser.
Now, he’s hoping for a great turnout at the second annual CrossFit fundraiser, dubbed the “Special Olympics Showdown.” The Branford Police/Shoreline Athletics event takes place this Saturday, Nov. 5 at Shoreline Athletics, 57 East Industrial Road, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All proceeds benefit Special Olympics CT.
Joe’s been working out as a Shoreline Athletics CrossFit member for six years.
“It’s a great group that’s very supportive of causes in our community. Last year, I touched base with them to see if they would assist in a fundraising event for Special Olympics, and it has since taken off,” says Joe. “I also found out we were actually the first in the state to do a CrossFit Special Olympics CT fundraiser.”
According to Forbes.com, CrossFit has become “one of the fastest growing sports in America.” Joe adds that national attention drawn to Reebok’s CrossFit Games (established 2007) is helping to raise recognition for the sport.
“It’s starting to get attention with the CrossFit games, but there is still a little bit of mystery to it, so this is also an opportunity to get other people the exposure,” says Joe, who will be participating on Nov. 5 with another Branford police officer to show support.
Athletes from CrossFit gyms across Connecticut will be volunteering and competing in Saturday’s team workout events. Fans and supporters can come cheer on teams taking on some extraordinary challenges or athletes who are simply going for their personal best.
“We’ve tried to coordinate and create a couple of different workouts to appeal to many different levels,” Joe notes. “So it keeps a competitive feel to it, but it also doesn’t discourage people who are not competitive CrossFitters. We wanted to be sure anyone can come and do it.”
Spectators can help support Special Olympics CT at the event by purchasing raffle tickets, T-shirts, and food. Donations will be gratefully accepted in the days and weeks following the challenge, too, says Joe.
“They can make a donation all the way up to the day of the event and for a month after it,” he says, adding donations can also be made online at www.branfordpolice.com or by dropping off contributions at Branford Police Department at 33 Laurel Street.
“We also welcome anyone who wants to reach out for future sponsorship of our fundraising events,” adds Joe. “We’re always looking for businesses and companies to sponsor one of our events.”
Joe and Stosh also coordinate BPD Special Olympics CT fundraising efforts including Tip-A-Cop, Dunk-A-Cop and the Torch Run.
The Torch Run seeks donors to sponsor run miles year-round. In 2015, Branford, with just 50 sworn officers, became one of Connecticut’s top three Torch Run fundraising departments.
“Last year, Branford raised the most money it’s ever raised in a single year, over $25,000—and we’re hoping that this year we will surpass last year’s total,” says Joe. “For Branford not being a huge department and community, to raise this type of money is amazing. That’s our little claim to fame. We are surpassing departments such as New Haven and Hartford and other larger departments.”
Joe has been a Branford police officer since 2004. Prior to joining BPD, Joe served as a military police corps supervisor with the U.S. Army. He holds a master’s degree in criminal justice from the University of New Haven. In addition to his role as a patrol officer, Joe is a member of the bicycle unit, a field training officer, and a South Central CT Regional SWAT member and serves on the Branford Police Honor Guard.
In 2015, for his outstanding police work, including investigations involving illegal narcotics dealings in Branford and leading a successful investigation into more than $140,000 stolen from a local wine distributor, Joe was named a Shoreline Hero by Branford Exchange Club.
CT Special Olympics also recognized Joe in 2015, selecting him to attend the Special Olympics National Convention in Phoenix, AZ.
“I had the opportunity to do a Torch Run in Phoenix with police officers and Special Olympics athletes from all over the country,” says Joe. “It grabs a hold of you. You see what it does, and it makes you want to do more. They appreciate everything—whether we raise a dollar or $50,000, they appreciate you, and that’s the most rewarding thing.”