South Bend, May 15, 2026, 09:05 (EDT)
Friday morning saw police officers from around Indiana and some areas of Illinois up on Dunkin’ rooftops, swapping patrol duty for a seven-hour coffee-fueled fundraiser supporting Special Olympics.
This year’s effort stands out mainly because it’s crammed into a tight stretch—roughly 5 a.m. to noon—and banks on actual police presence at stores, foregoing the traditional evening fundraiser or digital push. Special Olympics Indiana said close to 50 law enforcement agencies are joining “Cop on a Rooftop” at Dunkin’ stores on May 15. Special Olympics Indiana
Officers in St. Joseph County took up posts at the Dunkin’ on State Road 933 in South Bend, while Mishawaka police handled the Grape Road location, according to WSBT Friday morning. Donations benefit Special Olympics.
The funds go toward athletes with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Indiana noted police and safety officers plan to gather donations benefiting around 20,000 Hoosier athletes who get to train and compete for free. Donors pick up a free-donut coupon, and those giving $10 or more score a coupon for a free medium hot coffee.
This event falls under the Law Enforcement Torch Run, the police-driven fundraiser for Special Olympics. In Indiana, the larger initiative covers costs tied to sports training, competitions, health services, and leadership opportunities for Hoosiers with intellectual disabilities.
In Indiana, the reach goes far past South Bend. Special Olympics Indiana shows locations in cities like Fort Wayne, Elkhart, Mishawaka, Plymouth, Warsaw, Evansville, Indianapolis, plus others. Local police, sheriff’s departments, and Indiana State Police posts are among the agencies involved.
Greendale Police Chief Shane Slack described the event as a mix of fundraising and community engagement. “Cop on a Rooftop gives us a unique way to connect with our community,” Slack told Eagle Country 99.3. Greendale officers were set to be on duty at the Dunkin’ at 448 Dunkin Drive, the outlet reported. Eagle Country 99.3
Central Illinois faces a comparable timeline. According to a Peoria-area report, locals had opportunities to back officers stationed in Peoria, East Peoria, and Washington. Peoria County sheriff’s officials highlighted a 6 a.m. to noon event at the Dunkin’ on Western Avenue.
Officers from East Peoria will be on site at the Dunkin’ at 303 S. Main St., collecting donations and offering Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run merchandise, as the department announced in a public post.
The regional fundraiser just hit a new high in Illinois. Special Olympics Illinois reported its Dunkin’ Cop on a Rooftop event pulled in over $1.2 million in just seven hours in 2025. Lombard officials added that the 23-year relationship with Dunkin’ has now brought in upwards of $11.1 million for Special Olympics Illinois.
Scale sets things apart here. This year, Burbank, Illinois, officials said upward of 250 law enforcement agencies and over 375 Dunkin’ shops were lined up for the Illinois campaign, all chasing a $1.25 million target during the seven-hour drive.
But nothing’s set in stone here. These drives hinge on morning traffic, staffing levels, weather, and turnout before noon. Hitting the Illinois target doesn’t necessarily mean smaller Indiana or Peoria-area sites will see the same results.
Here’s what’s on the table for customers: In St. Charles, Illinois, anyone who donates scores a free-donut coupon. Hand over $10 or more and you’ll also grab a coffee coupon, plus a Law Enforcement Torch Run travel mug—though those mugs only last as long as supplies do.
