Over the weekend, the Special Olympics of Nevada, in partnership with the Law Enforcement Torch Run, returned to Henderson for its second annual Truck Pull — an event that has become as much about community repair as it is about competition. Under a bright autumn sky at Cowabunga Bay’s parking lot, teams of police officers, EMTs, firefighters, and community volunteers pulled massive vehicles to raise funds for athletes with intellectual disabilities while families enjoyed an afternoon of activities and connection.

The day balanced spectacle with outreach. Trunk-or-Treat activities offered children a carnival-like experience, with decorated trunks and family-friendly games that added a festive vibe for younger attendees. Separately, the Elko Police Department Mounted Unit provided a hands-on opportunity for kids to meet and learn about horses, giving families a chance to engage with officers in an informal setting.

Competition centered on various rounds of truck pulls featuring a semi-truck, a corrections vehicle and a firefighting engine. Teams from across the Valley went head-to-head, measured by distance and teamwork rather than raw strength alone. The fundraiser aims to raise funds for The Special Olympics of Nevada and their future athletic endeavors. At the end, the Nevada Department of Corrections “Big Backs” team prevailed, taking the top spot after a tightly contested finale and drawing cheers from the crowd.

Organizers emphasized that the event’s aim extends beyond fundraising. “Pulling together is literal and symbolic,” one attendee said. “These events rebuild ties — they remind first responders and residents what community looks like when people stand beside one another.” That sentiment resonated throughout the day as uniformed duties were downplayed in favor of informal interaction: families chatted with officers, neighbors high-fived competitors, and volunteers guided children through the activities.

Among attendees was a survivor of police brutality who asked to remain anonymous. Speaking from experience, the survivor said gatherings like the Truck Pull are important steps toward restoring trust. They described the event as a space that helps “rekindle a flame lost because of the ‘few’ bad apples whose actions have hurt the many good ones.” They noted that seeing police officers attend off-duty only with badges and guns, not in full uniform and not while being paid to be there, is an important first step that should go further.

A Henderson councilmember for Ward 3 attended and reflected, in paraphrase, that events like this play a vital role in strengthening neighborhood bonds and raising awareness of local initiatives that support communities. Organizers said that the mix of competition, outreach, and conversation is central to the fundraiser’s growth: beyond the trucks and trophies are relationships that can ease tensions and build longer-term community resilience.

It was clear that the Truck Pull’s impact went past the scoreboard. The day’s highlight was not only who won, but who showed up — neighbors, first responders and families — and how they spent a few hours rebuilding ties that matter. In the end, the event served as a reminder that community strength is measured in both emotional intelligence and mutual care.