LAPD Officer breaks Ferris wheel world record for charity

Los Angeles - An officer of the Los Angeles Police Department broke a world record on Friday by riding a Ferris wheel for 25 hours straight.

UPI reports that Detective Gus Martinez, who has been with the LAPD since 1994, rode the Ferris wheel located at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier from 7:30 a.m. Thursday until 8:30 a.m. Friday. According to KTLA, Martinez was able to surpass the previous record of 24 hours, 30 minutes. That record was accomplished in Dublin, Ireland back in October of last year. ABC 7 reports that Martinez wanted to accomplish the task in order to raise money for the Special Olympics. His son, who suffers from Down Syndrome, has won over 30 gold medals as a Special Olympics swimmer. A torch was lit Thursday night as Martinez began his long ride. Now that the ride has been completed, the torch will travel in a relay to the site of the Summer Special Olympics at Cal State Long Beach.