Sgt. McArthur receives Special Olympics’ 2023 Guardian of the Flame Award

Tuesday, June 4, 2024 - 2:18pm

Wake Forest Police Sgt. Jeffrey McArthur is the recipient of Special Olympics NC’s 2023 Guardian of The Flame Award.

McArthur earned the honor for “leadership, dedication, and outstanding commitment to going above and beyond to achieve the fundraising goals of the agency and for being a strong steward of the Flame of Hope to increase public awareness in his community for Special Olympics North Carolina.”

McArthur received the award on Friday, May 31, the same day he and Special Olympics Athlete Eric Murphy (photos attached) had the honor of lighting the cauldron to officially kick off the 2024 Special Olympics NC Summer Games in Raleigh.

A Wake Forest Police officer since March 2012, McArthur began assisting former Wake Forest Police Officer Scott Graham with the department’s Special Olympics fundraising in 2016. Following Graham’s retirement, he now works with DARE Officer/Community Outreach Officer Robert Wilkinson to plan numerous Special Olympics fundraisers throughout the year.

Since 2012, those efforts have resulted in the Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD) raising over $122,000 in support of Special Olympics.

Sgt. McArthur says such fundraising success is the result of WFPD teamwork and the generosity of the Wake Forest community.

“In my time assisting with our Special Olympics fundraising efforts, I have been fortunate to work with Officers Graham and Wilkinson who have served as our Special Olympics fundraising coordinators,” said McArthur. “Our accomplishments are the result of their efforts, the contributions and cooperation of my fellow officers, and the wonderful generosity of our community.”

For more information, email Sgt. McArthur at [email protected].