The Guilford County Board of Commissioners took a good deal of time at the board’s Thursday, March 2 meeting to single out and recognize perhaps the county’s best known special Olympian.

The board honored Dustin Edmondson – the county’s law enforcement athlete ambassador to the Special Olympics.

The board simultaneously recognized retired Guilford County Sheriff’s Deputy David Keith Jones for his efforts supporting Special Olympics.  Jones has been instrumental during his career in law enforcement in supporting the cause – raising both money and awareness for the state and worldwide athletic competition.

The Law Enforcement Torch Fund is the largest grass roots awareness and fund-raising effort for the Special Olympics, with more than 100,000 law enforcement officers across the world participating.

Edmondson was recognized for receiving the 2022 Law Enforcement Torch Fund International Executive Council Athlete Award as well as for being selected as one of the final torch runners for the 2023 Berlin Special Olympics World Games on behalf of Special Olympics North Carolina.

Edmondson graduated from Southern High School in Guilford County and now attends Western Carolina University.  He’s competed in events including basketball, rowing, soccer and softball.

Guilford County Commissioner Kay Cashion read a resolution from the county that stated his “determination has pushed him to excel as a unified sports athlete breaking down stereotypes for those with physical and intellectual disabilities.”

She added that Edmondson had become “an inspirational community leader.”

He was honored by the county and the town of Pleasant Garden “for being an ambassador unselfishly advancing the value of North Carolina Special Olympics for athletes and their families.”

Cashion called it a “very, very special occasion,” and she also said, “This is a big deal and we want to make a big deal out of it.”

Cashion proceeded to read a resolution from the county honoring Edmondson, and everyone involved was called up for a group photo with the commissioners.