The Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge has so many participants eager to plunge into the frigid Chesapeake Bay to benefit Special Olympics Maryland they have to stagger the events over three days.

For Anne Arundel County Police Capt. Frank Tewey, plunging for his eighth year, the pleasure is all his.

“We are freezin’ for a reason,” he said. “Heroes need heroes. And to me these athletes who go out there every day and prove what they can do [are] my hero.”

Special Olympics Maryland uses the monies raised to create opportunities for residents with mental challenges to participate in sports activities from bowling to track and field.

The annual event is the major fundraising event for the Maryland Torch Run, sponsored by the state police and joined by thousands every year at Sandy Point State Park. Plunge Week started Friday with the Super Plunge — when the daring brave the bay waters once an hour for 24 hours — and resumes this coming Thursday with the Cool Schools Challenge, followed by the Police Plunge on Friday and then the huge public plunge on Saturday.

Tewey has headed the Anne Arundel County Police plunge effort since 2010.

“I was ‘volun-told’ to get involved in the Torch Run and I didn’t know anything about what I was getting myself into,” Tewey said.

Since then, it has become a “labor of love” for the police captain.

“You will never see me not involved in the Special Olympics,” he said. “It tells [the athletes] nothing is insurmountable, nothing is impossible, hope exists.”

And the police effort has had a huge impact on Special Olympics in the state and nationwide, according to Special Olympics Maryland CEO and President Jim Schmutz. He praised law enforcement efforts to support the 7,782 Special Olympics Maryland athletes who train and compete year-round in 27 sports.

The law enforcement community has raised more than $40 million since 1986, Schmutz said in a statement. “Together, through sport, we are creating a world where opportunity is not limited by disability,” the statement said.

The national effort started in 1981 when a police chief in Kansas held a fundraiser for Special Olympics. The idea was taken to the Association of Chiefs of Police which adopted Special Olympics.

“And now we are in every state in the country, every province of Canada, and across 43 countries,” Tewey said.

The plunge and torch run have positive impacts beyond the event and the Special Olympic athletes, Tewey said.

“We do this, give up our time and do this strictly for the athletes to be able to participate in increase the quality of their lives. But the hidden benefit, not often talked about, is what it does for our police officers,” he said.

“You come out there and tell me how many frowns you see — it’s all whoops and hollers and camaraderie. You can see what it does for us, too.”

The bottom line, he said, is the personal interactions police officers and staff have with the athletes at events throughout the year. Police award medals at events, take athletes bowling and many other things.

“When we educate the officers about the event and the athletes, they gain more awareness on the street,” Tewey said. “Many agencies have subscribed to mental health first aid … it helps them to recognize special needs, people with autism. We think if you have that early recognition you can have a more positive outcome in an interaction.”

He is now chairman of the Maryland Torch Run. And he will continue to carry on that responsibility after his February retirement from county police force.

Anne Arundel is not only a leader in the Police Plunge. Young people have led the way, too.

South River High School’s team has led all state schools in fundraising for several years straight. And this year is no exception. Going into Plunge Week they led all schools with over $18,000 pledged. Magothy Middle School was in a close second place at $15,161.

The county has also had top Super Plungers. Donny Boyd, of Davidsonville, has raised more than $250,000 over the years. Last year he and daughter Caroline, who also led the South River team, were top Super Plungers. Caroline went off to college this year and another daughter, Natalie, stepped up to help lead Team Boyd.

Hundreds of people turn out to support the plungers and are kept busy in a huge Plungefest tent with entertainment, food and other fun.

“And who knows, if you come out you might find you are brave enough to get in the water,” Tewey said.

pfurgurson@capgaznews.com