Hamilton County, TN – On Friday night, December 8th, in a record turnout of HCSO fighters, five corrections officers and two detectives represented the HCSO as they participated in the 2017 Battle of the Badges Boxing Match at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

This year’s fight benefited the local Forgotten Child Fund and YCAP’s Jabbin for Jesus Program. The Forgotten Child Fund is a non-profit charitable organization chartered in 1965 by Chattanooga area firefighters and police officers in order to provide Christmas to children who are less fortunate. The YCAP Jabbin for Jesus program began in 1999 by local Chattanooga resident, Joe Smith as a boxing program for our community’s at-risk youth.

To show staunch and loyal support, numerous HCSO employees and their family and friends packed out the Convention Center to cheer those who were participating.

This year’s Battle of the Badges included a record (19) bouts of excellent fighting between local area firemen, EMS, and police personnel.

During the intermission, a brief ceremony was held focused on honoring HCSO Director of Support Services, Gino Bennett, for his continual support as an integral member and supporter of the Battle of the Badges. Director Bennett helped establish the first Battle of the Badges and has served on the leadership and planning committee each year since the event’s conception.

This year’s Battle of the Badges was ultimately won by the Guns (Law Enforcement) and culminated with Detective Blake Kilpatrick delivering a quick, decisive, and devastating final bout against Chattanooga Firefighter Keith Liles.

Those boxing in this year’s event were as follows: Corrections Officers’ Lauren McMillion, Danielle Rector, Jordan Long-Ross, Stephen Roberts, and Charles Meyners and Detectives’ Shane Rominger and Blake Kilpatrick.

Please offer our HCSO Boxers your appreciation for taking on this momentous challenge and helping to raise funds to ensure all of our community’s children enjoy a special Christmas morning.