Tulsa County Deputies Take Plunge For Special Olympics

Dozens of Green Country law enforcement officers and people in the community jumped into the frigid water at Safari Joes to raise money for Special Olympics Oklahoma.

The annual event was virtual last year because of COVID-19, but this year everyone was back in person ready to take the plunge. Officers said this is a special event they are both excited and passionate about.

More than 100 people braved the cold weather and very cold water today, all for a good cause.

"It is brutal, once you go in the air just hits you like you've just hit a brick wall,” said Deputy Richie Gonzales with the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office.

Every February, the Special Olympics Oklahoma challenges Oklahomans to plunge into the chilly water to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics athletes.

Local law enforcement is always ready to answer the call.

"It is really special. It gets us out of our element of law enforcement to community policing. If you can build partnerships and bonds with every demographic in the community. It makes us a stronger community,” said Gonzales.

There was also a special guest in the crowd, taking his first polar plunge, Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin.

"It is cold, but I am looking at the positives. There's no wind. There is sun out,” said Franklin.

Chief Franklin says he and the Oklahoma City Police Chief had a fun bet going that they would both do the plunge this year.

"I still don't know whether or not if they actually did it or not. He claims it has been done but I haven't seen any video of that,” said Franklin.

After weeks of fundraising, Tulsans were able to raise nearly $25,000 for all of the Oklahoma athletes.