NJ Cops June2018 | Page 78

NJ State PBA Locals hit it out of the park for families behind the badge For the fourth consecutive year, NJ State PBA Locals from across the state gathered for a charity softball tourna- ment on May 20 in support of the Sur- vivor and Welfare Foundation. The Fam- ilies Behind the Badge Annual Charity Softball Tournament was started in Au- gust 2015 by Woodland Park Council- woman Tracy Kallert, who noticed a spike in violent crimes against and ha- tred toward law enforcement across the country. With the help of Woodland Park Councilman Vincent DeCesare, the two law enforcement supporters began to spread the word and reach out to local businesses and members of the com- munity to raise money and get members of the NJSPBA together to show their support for families of fallen officers. Each year, in addition to raising mon- ey for the Survivor and Welfare Fund, 78 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ JUNE 2018 Paterson Local 1, champions of the Families Behind the Badge Charity Softball Tournament