The 11 police officers were chasing some publicity for Special Olympics of North Carolina.

The local department has been a supporter of the Special Olympics for several years, but this year marks the first time the Zebulon department was able to take part in the torch run.

“We tried a couple years ago to take part in the torch run, but the route didn’t run through Zebulon,” Chief Tim Hayworth said.

The local department worked things out with Special Olympics organizers this year and about 7:30 on Thursday, Det. Candace Thompson lit the torch and Hayworth led the group from the town hall out onto Gannon Avenue.

The officers took turns carrying the torch and Hayworth said about half the group ran the entire three-mile route to Little River Park, where Zebulon police handed the torch off to officers with the Wake County Sheriff’s Office.

As the group made its way through Zebulon, onlookers honked their car horns, and used their cell phones to take pictures of the run.

“I think it’s good for the entire community to see their police officers getting behind something like the Special Olympics,” Hayworth said.

In years past, the department has sold t-shirts as a fundraiser to help raise money for Special Olympics. Hayworth said police are stepping up their efforts on the fundraising front this year as well. The department hopes to raise $6,000.

“We’re planning a golf tournament this August at Zebulon Country Club,” Hayworth said.

Raising money is important these days as budget cuts threaten agencies’ livelihoods.

“They are taking a hit in donations, too,” Hayworth said. “With the economy the way it is, people just don’t have as much to give.”