Faced with an autumn swim in the chilly waters of the Chesapeake Bay, it would have been easy for anyone to get cold feet — but Charles County Sheriff Rex Coffey and Sgt Proctor didn’t take the easy way out. Instead, they braved the cold water on Oct. 22, and for a good purpose: to help promote the upcoming Polar Bear Plunge, an annual fundraiser for Special Olympics Maryland.

Sheriff Coffey and Sgt. Proctor — a supervisor in the Community Policing Unit who coordinates the Sheriff’s Office’s participation in Special Olympics fundraisers — joined sheriffs, chiefs and officers from other Maryland law enforcement agencies for the promotional effort. Photographs from their pre-Plunge plunge will appear on posters and in advertisements encouraging others to support the fundraiser.

The Plunge, which is sponsored by the Maryland State Police, will be held on January 30, 2010 at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis. It is the largest law enforcement fundraiser worldwide; last year, more than 11,000 plungers participated in the event and raised more than $3 million for Special Olympics.

This year, an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 people are expected to take the plunge. Special guests will include Baltimore Ravens players Joe Flacco and Adam Terri, world-champion figure skater Kimmie Meissner, Channel 11 media personalities, 98 Rock’s Mickey, Amelia and Spiegel and more. The event will also feature live music, games, displays and a Polar Bear Plunge Pageant.

For more information about how to participate or donate, visit www.plungemd.com.