The Police News
December 6, 2009

GALVESTON, TX - Last night in the Galveston Convention Center over 2,000 screaming fans watched and chanted as cops, sheriff's deputies and firefighters wailed on each other in the boxing ring.

The term boxing would be used loosley in the case of last nights fights. 

With few exceptions when the bell rang the brawl began.  Swinging and punching wildly, and shoving each other into the ropes, the fighters were more like street brawlers that boxer as we know it from watching the pros fight.

However, it was a big event and one that most likely with become a major attraction in Galveston for years to come.  And everyone envolved, including the fighters, were devoted to the cause of raising sorely needed funds for the Boys and Girls Club of Galveston.

Through the excitement of the fights, the roar of the crowds, the loud music piped throughout the auditorium, it was a real pleasure to see the display of good sportsmanship when the fighters would shake hands and often hug in center ring following their bouts.  Everyone was focused on good and throughout the excitement of the evening it was a fun and well organizaed event.

To be fair we must report that these participants where street cops and firefighters, not well trained, finely tuned, methodical boxers as we are accustomed to seeing.  They trained for the event mostly under experts in the martial arts.  Only a couple of them had ever fought in the ring before.  It is easy to understand why they would climb into the ring with only one thought in mind, to beat the hell out of the other guy the best and fastest way they could.  And that's what they did and it was enteraining and no one got hurt.

Officers and firefighters from the three agencies involved worked for months planning and organizing this massive event.  The auditorium was first setup to accomodate seating for 1465 but was later extended to over 1600.  There were about 400 fans standing.

Leaders of the three departments, Police Chief Charles Wiley, Sheriff Freddie Poor and Fire Chief Mike Varela announced in center ring during intermission the Battle of The Badge would be an annual event.  The crowd roared at the announcement.

We will be processing photos as they come in from various sources and posting them to The Police News website.  Every second of the event was video recorded and a dozen or more still photographers captured hundreds of shots during the evening.