Travis Bourdier of the Patterson Volunteer Fire Department throws a horseshoe while John Owens of the Centerville Volunteer Fire Department looks on.
Sheriff Gary Driskell, left, and Berwick Assistant Police Chief JP Henry throw the first shoes at Saturday's Battle of the Badges. Driskell scored a ringer.
Present for Saturday's Battle of the Badges opening ceremonies are, from left: Sheriff Gary Driskell and son Jase, Berwick Assistant Police Chief JP Henry, and Tim Gilmore and Craig Rink of the Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers Association.
Tim Gilmore, left, and Craig Rink of the Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers Association stand at attention as the American flag is lowered to half staff in honor of the late Sheriff Blaise Smith, who died Feb. 24.
Battle of the Badges: Firefighters vs. law enforcement
Saturday was high noon for horseshoe pitchers from St. Mary's first responder community.
Teams representing the parish's fire departments and law enforcement agencies squared off in the annual Battle of the Badges, the fourth such event staged by the Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers Association at Kemper Williams Park near Patterson.
The firefighters won the traveling trophy in 2023, but law enforcement had a 2-1 edge in the series going into Saturday.
Newly installed Sheriff Gary Driskell and Berwick Assistant Police Chief JP Henry threw the ceremonial first shoes. Driskell's landed squarely on the peg.
The Review/Bill Decker