Fairfield PD and FD rekindle friendly fire
Members of the Fairfield Police and Fire Departments pose for a photo op in Palmieri Field during the first Battle of the Badges event in more than two decades.
Fairfield police officers pose with their families after their Department won the 2016 softball game.
After an extended hiatus, the Fairfield Police Department and Fairfield Fire Department have rejoined forces to resurrect the community’ s annual Battle of the Badges softball event. The two departments gathered at Palmieri Field on June 18 to compete against each other in a joint effort that would benefit Bergen County law enforcement officer Daniel Breslin’ s complex recovery. Breslin suffered extensive line-of-duty injuries when his cruiser allegedly was rear-ended by a drunk driver while he was working the beat in Lodi in 2014.
What began in 1983 as a friendly but intense rivalry between the agencies – the Fairfield FD taking the first win – faded in the 1990s after a volleying of victories for both departments. This year, however, Fairfield Police Chief Anthony Manna successfully roused the competitive spirit that had lain dormant for more than two decades when he challenged the Fairfield FD to a softball game during its annual awards dinner.
Having raised more than $ 4,000 for the Breslin family, the event proved both successful and fulfilling. The Fairfield PD won the game by 12-2, but the event itself united both departments in the spirit of giving.
“ To all of us, it really didn’ t matter who won or lost the game,” said Manna.“ What mattered most was that we all had a great day, the members of our two departments became even closer than we already were and we were all able to help someone in need.”
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NEW JERSEY COPS ■ AUGUST 2016