O’Fallon PD detective loves the Special Olympics. His fundraising prowess proves it.

O’Fallon Police Detective Brian Gimpel’s passion for the Special Olympics is contagious and it’s noted by all who come into his orbit.

He is the coordinator of the O’Fallon Police Department Special Olympic Torch Run — and he has helped raise over $200,000 over the past six years.

While he leads by example, Gimpel wants to share the recognition with the many people who help him achieve big fundraising numbers and all who work behind the scenes.

He was recently singled out with the Flame of Hope Award at the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Conference. This award is given annually to one law enforcement officer in the state who has demonstrated an unfailing commitment to the Special Olympics and the Torch Run.

“He has done a tremendous job,” O’Fallon Police Chief Eric Van Hook said. “He has a true passion for it and encourages us to get out and be a part of it.”

Gimpel’s accomplishments are so notable he has been invited to be on a committee for the 2021 Special Olympics International Conference in Chicago.

“That should kick off this summer with planning,” he said.

While the money raised is impressive, what he has taken away from the experience is even more so.

“What began as a fundraising mission soon became much more. The more time I spent with the athletes, the more I got to know them and friendships were born. The Law Enforcement Torch Run events became more about spending time with the athletes instead of just being focused on how much money we raised,” Gimpel said.

“The athletes are so positive and full of happiness, it made it easy to be around them more and more. When you think about the obstacles in their lives they have had to overcome and yet they still have the most amazing outlook on life. They are truly role models for everyone to look up to,” he said.

Gimpel inspired by Special Olympics athletes

Early in his career, Gimpel became involved when enlisted by Jim Cavins and Jeff Wild of the OPD. He had to step away for a few years while on an FBI task force, but when he returned in 2006, Gimpel’s involvement grew. He took over as department liaison in 2012 and is co-leg leader with Capt. John Proffitt from the Fairview Heights Police Department.

Gimpel is moved by watching the athletes grow each year.

“They grow in their ability to communicate, do things on their own, build confidence, and for several they go on to hold full-time jobs and live on their own. Special Olympics Illinois allows them the chance to break down barriers every day and allows these individuals to believe in themselves,” he said. “It gives these individuals a chance to do things they may not otherwise have been able to do.”

Gimpel has seen them change first-hand as they come to the events and work with them.

“They may start off shy and timid, but then I send them to (Special Olympics athletes) Tony, Charles, and Jim so they can help them come out of their shell. After a few events, these individuals will be welcoming the guests to the event, smiling, and helping us work the event. Most of the individuals just need a chance to succeed and this is where Special Olympics Illinois makes it possible,” he said.

On a personal level, when he was younger, Gimpel watched his uncle participate in Special Olympics in the track and field events at Spring Games at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

“You could see the enjoyment on the athletes’ faces during their competitions, but even if they did not win, they were still proud to have competed,” he said.

The police became involved in raising money and awareness for Special Olympics in 1985 at the first Law Enforcement Torch Run in Kansas.

“It has grown from that one small run to a world-wide organization built to raise money and awareness for Special Olympic athletes. This year alone, LETR Illinois raised over $5 million and was No. 2 in the world,” he said.

O’Fallon PD hosts multiple fundraisers for Special Olympics

Gimpel has come up with many of the fundraising events in O’Fallon.

“If I see another department has been successful at something, then we may try it here. We have other officers who have also come up with ideas and we will try them out. We try to make the events fun, engaging with the community, and most of all, successful,” he said.

“We are fortunate to have a community that supports their police and the community events we organize. Without the generous donations and support from our local businesses and citizens, none of the events would be a success,” he said.

Gimpel and other officers participate the Polar Plunge at Carlyle Lake, and have been the No. 1 law enforcement team for donations.

“This year, we are currently over $10,000 raised and hoping to reach $12,500. If that sounds a little too chilly for people, we will be hosting a dine to donate at Peel in O’Fallon on Feb. 26 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Officers and athletes will be on site from 4-9 p.m. selling merchandise and collecting donations,” he said.

In April and May, they set up shop at Sam’s Club on a Saturday and sell hamburgers and hot dogs for Special Olympics. During the winter months they try to get a weekend in at Marcus Theater where they sell merchandise and collect donations.

“As the summer approaches, we host our leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run and host our largest fundraiser of the year in July at Texas Roadhouse. This is a dine to donate on a Friday night where the restaurant donates 10 percent of their sales and officers and athletes will help wait tables for tips and donations. Last year, we raised over $10,000 at this single event,” Gimpel said.

To finish off the year, they host a Culver’s Butterburgers and Badges event in August in which Culver’s donate 10 percent of their sales for the day and athletes and officers set up in the afternoon to wait tables and collect donations.

“Schnucks has come on as a partner and allows us to come in on a weekend and sell merchandise and collect donations in September,” he said.

“We try to stay active throughout the year hosting different types of events and we will try to reach that $50,000 mark this year,” he said.

Humbled, honored

Gimpel is humbled and honored to be recognized with this award.

“There are so many officers throughout the state doing great work for the Law Enforcement Torch Run that it is a great honor to be recognized with the Flame of Hope. But as I have said many times, it takes a team to make these events successful and we have a great team here,” he said.

“We have support from (O’Fallon Mayor Herb) Roach, the city council, and Chief Van Hook. When you have support from the top down, it encourages the new officers to find something they like and get involved. Our department has always invested in our community and I think it shows by the support we receive from them,” he said.

About Brian Gimpel

Gimpel joined the O’Fallon Police Department in 2000 and is currently assigned to the investigation division. He is the president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #198 and has been on the Illinois State FOP Board for six years.

He grew up in Cahokia and graduated from Cahokia High School in 1995. He earned an associate’s degree in law enforcement from then-Belleville Area College and went on to SIUE. Before graduating, he was hired by O’Fallon and completed by bachelor’s degree at Lindenwood University in 2014.

He married his wife, Tara, in 2004 and they have called Smithton home since 2007. They have two daughters, Haley, 13, and McKenzie, 9.

“Without the support from my wife, I would not be able to give the time I do to this great organization,” he said.