10:55am | Five members of the Long Beach Police Department and six members of the Fire Department competed in the 2011 World Police & Fire Games, held this year in New York City from Friday August 26 until Monday September 5, 2011. Despite complications caused by Hurricane Irene that resulted in the cancellation of a number of events, five of the athletes came home with medals.
The annual World Police & Fire Games is the second largest multi-sport event in the world, and draws about 15,000 police officers and firefighters representing over 70 countries. The event has been held in various countries over the years, and this year it coincided with the preparations for the 10 year-anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. A “5K World Trade Center Run to Remember” and a candlelight vigil were held in remembrance of the lives lost , as well as other special events to thank the international community for their support during that time.
The Games also promotes physical fitness and camaraderie among the professions, and all proceeds go to charities. The employees that participated volunteered their time and paid their own expenses, and the Honorary Members of the Long Beach Police Officer’s Association assisted in paying the registration fees of the police employees.
The athletes that brought home medals in their events are as follows:
Police Sergeant Paul Esko – Gold in Beach Volleyball
Police Detective Ana Maria Gill – Gold in Javelin Throw, Gold in Discus, and Gold in Shotput
Police Detective David A. Jones – Gold in Skeet, Silver in Trap Team Doubles (16 yd.), Bronze in Trap Team (16 yd.)
Police Officer Danielle Quinones – Gold in Co-Ed Softball
Fire Engineer Corey Girard – Silver in Surfing
In addition, Fire Engineer Darren Strecker took 8th place in Motocross.
For complete details of this event, please visit the website, www.2011wpfg.org.
August 26 10:00am | Five members of the Long Beach Police Department and five members of the Fire Department will be competing in the 2011 World Police & Fire Games, held in New York City from Friday, August 26 until Monday September 5, 2011.
Surpassed only by the Summer Olympic Games, this event is the second largest multi-sport event in the world, and over 15,000 police officers and firefighters representing over 70 countries will compete at this year’s Games.
The event promotes physical fitness and camaraderie among the professions, and all proceeds will benefit two New York charities- the Police Athletic League and the New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation. The employees participating volunteer their time and pay their own expenses, and the Honorary Members of the Long Beach Police Officers’ Association assisted in paying the registration fees of the police employees.
The police employees participating in this year’s Games are:
Sergeant Paul Esko – beach volleyball
Detective Ana Maria Gill – javeline, discus, and shotput
Detective David A. Jones – trap, skeet and sporting clays
Officer Tina Louise Icorn – police action pistol
Officer Danielle Quinones – softball
The Fire employees participating in the Games will all be part of an ice hockey team, and they are:
Captain Matt Block, Engineer Cory Girard, Firefighter Tyler Viana, Firefighter John Aiello, Paramedic Matt Bolen.
Nearing the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, a “5k World Trade Center Run to Remember” and a candlelight vigil will be held in remembrance of the lives lost, as well as special events to thank the international community for their support during that time.
For more information on this event, visit the event’s website, www.2011wpfg.org.