West Milwaukee police participate in 10th annual Cop on a Rooftop to raise money for Special Olympics Wisconsin

 

WEST MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The 10th annual Cop on a Rooftop took place Friday morning, Aug. 19. While people around the country showed up to hundreds of Dunkin' Donuts, they were greeted with officers waving. 

Law enforcement from around the state participate in the event to support Special Olympics Wisconsin.  At the Dunkin' on Miller Parkway, police from West Milwaukee and Marquette participated. The event was traditionally held on the rooftop, but in recent years it's been moved to the ground for safety reasons. 

Officers say it makes it even easier to grab people as they get their morning caffeine fix. 

"We had cars backed up into the street during normal rush traffic," said West Milwaukee Police Chief Dennis Nasci. "It's been good. Everyone's been very generous." 

During the last nine Cop on the Rooftop events, Wisconsin officers have raised more than $400,000 for Special Olympics Wisconsin. 

Tyler Derringer is a Special Olympics athlete. He stood proudly alongside officers with two medals around his neck. 

"It gives me an opportunity to do sports I never could do in high school. It means I can compete in Olympic-type sports," said Derringer. 

The Cop on a Rooftop event stems from the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run that has been supporting the Special Olympics for decades. 

"I can tell you, 41 years ago when I first got into the business, we were doing torch runs and those kinds of things to help fundraise for them," said Chief Nasci. "It's just one of those things that you can do to help some folks that, every once in a while, need a hand up." 

The event ran from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m.