BRIDGTON – Police Chief Robert Bell will be there in heart and mind when Special Olympians snap on their skis Monday at Sugarloaf/USA.

But physically, the longtime Special Olympics supporter will be back at his office helping newly appointed Chief David Lyons get ready to take over leadership of the Bridgton Police Department.

Bell is retiring as chief and a police officer after nearly four decades of dedication as a public servant. His last day is Wednesday.

“Almost 40 years is enough,” Bell said. “I’m over 65. It comes a time to let everything go so to speak. Things have changed in this profession. It’s time to move on.”

Though Bell will miss this year’s winter games, he plans to devote more time in his retirement to the Special Olympics.

“I’m going to miss going up there,” Bell said. “I had planned on it. There is a lot of good that comes from the Special Olympics.”

Special Olympics, founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, held its first games in 1968 in Chicago. Special Olympics Maine held the world’s first winter Special Olympics in 1970.

The program offers athletic training and competition to people of all ages with mental disabilities. It provides athletes with training for life and helps them build their strength, develop skills, gain confidence, and improve self-esteem.

Bell was involved with Special Olympics at an international level and presented the idea of starting a Maine Law Enforcement Torch Run, similar to one started by Wichita (Kan.) Police Chief Richard LaMunyon in 1981, to a Special Olympics director and the Maine Chiefs of Police Association in 1985.

“It took off and it’s still taking off,” Bell said.

Since its inception, the run has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Special Olympics and brought awareness to the program.

Bell is the director of the state torch run and plans to continue in that position until they kick him off.

Special Olympics gives people young and old a chance to improve their lives, Bell said, and to see what they can become without a stigma.

He recalled seeing a man he had watched at the games years ago, Bell said, and that man now has a family and a job and is doing well for himself.

“I was just proud as heck to see him,” Bell said. “I know what (Special Olympics) does and I know where they have gone and I’m just proud.”

Bell said he enjoys watching and meeting the Olympians.

A scheduling glitch doesn’t allow him the chance to go this year.

“But I will be there in heart and mind,” Bell said.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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