Kentucky State Police Launch Annual Cover the Cruiser Campaign for Special Olympics

Kentuckians can support Special Olympics Kentucky athletes by donating and placing stickers on police cruisers across the state.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 4:00pm

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A bold, pop art-inspired illustration featuring a Kentucky State Police cruiser repeated in a grid of bright, neon-colored silkscreen prints, capturing the celebratory spirit of the Cover the Cruiser campaign to support Special Olympics Kentucky.The annual Cover the Cruiser campaign celebrates the partnership between Kentucky law enforcement and Special Olympics athletes, raising funds and awareness through community engagement.Richmond Today

Kentucky State Police are hosting their seventh annual Cover the Cruiser campaign to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Kentucky. From April 10-17, Kentuckians can donate at least $1 to have a custom sticker placed on a KSP cruiser, with all proceeds going directly to support Special Olympics Kentucky programs and the upcoming Summer Games.

Why it matters

The Cover the Cruiser campaign provides crucial financial support for Special Olympics Kentucky, which offers year-round sports training and competition opportunities for over 11,300 athletes with intellectual disabilities across the state. The event also helps strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the Special Olympics community.

The details

During the Cover the Cruiser campaign, KSP posts across Kentucky will host events where residents can meet troopers, connect with Special Olympics athletes, and show their support by donating at least $1 to have a custom sticker placed on a police cruiser. The funds raised will help support the upcoming Special Olympics Kentucky Summer Games, which will be held at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond.

  • The Cover the Cruiser campaign will run from April 10-17, 2026.
  • The Special Olympics Kentucky Summer Games will be held in Richmond in 2026.

The players

Andy Beshear

The Governor of Kentucky, who praised the determination and courage of Special Olympics Kentucky athletes and encouraged the public to support the Cover the Cruiser campaign.

Phillip Burnett Jr.

The Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, who expressed the agency's pride in partnering with Special Olympics Kentucky and said the Cover the Cruiser campaign is a meaningful way for the KSP and communities to rally around the athletes.

Angela Cruse-Tinch

The CEO of Special Olympics Kentucky, who said the organization is looking forward to continuing its work with the Kentucky State Police through the Cover the Cruiser events.

Special Olympics Kentucky

The local chapter of the global organization that provides year-round sports training and competition opportunities for over 11,300 athletes with intellectual disabilities across the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Kentucky State Police

The state law enforcement agency that is hosting the seventh annual Cover the Cruiser campaign to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Kentucky.

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What they’re saying

“Kentucky's Special Olympics athletes show us all what determination, courage and teamwork truly look like. Cover the Cruiser gives our communities an opportunity to come together, celebrate these athletes and help ensure they have the support they need to succeed both on and off the field.”

— Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky

“Our troopers are proud to partner with Special Olympics Kentucky and the remarkable athletes who inspire us every day. Cover the Cruiser is a meaningful way for our agency and our communities to rally around these competitors and help expand opportunities for them.”

— Phillip Burnett Jr., Commissioner, Kentucky State Police

“We are looking forward to another Cover the Cruiser Week and the opportunity to continue working with the Kentucky State Police. In addition to the financial support that Cover the Cruiser events provide for our program, they also give our athletes another opportunity to interact with State Troopers, many of whom they recognize from presenting medals at our events across the state.”

— Angela Cruse-Tinch, CEO, Special Olympics Kentucky

What’s next

The Special Olympics Kentucky Summer Games will be held at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond in 2026, where athletes from across the state will compete in a variety of sports.

The takeaway

The Cover the Cruiser campaign demonstrates the strong partnership between the Kentucky State Police and Special Olympics Kentucky, providing crucial financial support and community engagement opportunities that empower athletes with intellectual disabilities and promote inclusion across the Commonwealth.