Special Olympics Illinois has presented Geneva Police Sgt. Dan Kott with the Flame of Hope Award for his 25 years of dedicated volunteer service to the organization.

The Flame of Hope Award is the highest honor of recognition given by Special Olympics Illinois and is presented annually to one individual and one police department in the state for their steadfast involvement in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. The award is based on the nominee’s ingenuity, drive, commitment and dedication to the Torch Run, which directly impacts the lives of nearly 43,000 athletes and children with and without intellectual disabilities.

Sgt. Kott received the award earlier this month during a presentation in Bloomington, Ill.

“We are extremely proud of Sgt. Dan Kott for his contributions to Special Olympics,” Geneva Police Chief Eric Passarelli said. “Sgt. Kott’s selfless dedication to this important cause reflects very proudly on himself, the Geneva Police Department and the City of Geneva.”

After being hired by the City in 1990, Sgt. Kott has spent countless hours of his own time championing the cause of Special Olympics by facilitating many community fundraisers during the past 25 years.

Sgt. Kott has worked tirelessly to continue a Special Olympics fundraising pig roast that was the creation of Geneva Police Officer Keith Koza and his wife, Mary. Officer Koza passed away in 2009 after a courageous battle with cancer. Due to the generous contributions of time and financial support from Mary Koza and Josef’s Elegante Meats & Deli, the pig roast has continued to flourish today.