Police, firefighters play for charity in Battle of the Badges

Gilmer County Fire Chief Daniel Kauffman throws the ceremonial first pitch.
The police team, which included officers from the Gilmer Sheriff’s Office, East Ellijay Police and Georgia State Patrol, claimed victory and a year’s worth of bragging rights at the first-ever fundraiser for the local Shop With a Hero and Firefighters Kids Christmas programs.
The firefighters team lines up during the Battle of the Badges charity softball tournament at the Clear Creek ball fields.
Gilmer Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Perigo ripped a base hit in the third inning and later scored.
Gilmer Fire Battalion Chief Mike Dempsey quickly fields a ground ball for an out.
It was all for a good cause as Deputy Zach Weaver takes a throw at the dunk tank, in which his daughter, Sara Weaver, sits. The dunk tank was among the event’s fundraising activities.

The first Battle of the Badges Softball Tournament last Saturday, which matched police officers against firefighters, raised $13,000 to benefit the Ellijay Police Foundation’s Shop With a Hero and the Ellijay-Gilmer Firefighters Kids Christmas programs. The proceeds will be split 50/50 between the two outreach programs.