Black Diamond Police Sgt. Brian Lynch has noticed something unsettling within the law enforcement community in which he serves: in the last year, several officers of various agencies have received the scary diagnosis of cancer.
"It's been a tough year for police officers," he said.
A Black Diamond police officer only recent came back on the job after undergoing treatment that thankfully brought about remission, Lynch said. An officer in Renton as well as a Washington State Patrol trooper are also battling their own medical challenges.
Lynch is no stranger to cancer and the desire to do something to support those who are battling for their lives. Patch first met Lynch two years ago when he, along with Enumclaw Police Officer Dustin Lobdell, announced they were bring back the first ever Boots and Badges Charity Basketball Game to raise funds for the Law Dawgz Relay for Life team and shared their inspiration came from long-time police volunteer and one-time Enumclaw school teacher Marilyn Hash who has fought cancer on and off for the last 10+ years.
This coming Saturday, June 8 marks the 4th annual Boots and Badges charity game, and Lynch hopes the community will once again turn out to enjoy a friendly game pitting law enforcement officers - the LawDawgz - against Enumclaw firefighters - the SmokeEaters - while raising funds to continue supporting the Relay for Life and by extension, the American Cancer Society. Hash is expected to be in attendance.
The Buckley band Heavy Hammer will entertain at halftime when there will also be a free throw contest. The winner receives a free month-long gym membership to Thrive Community Fitness in Maple Valley plus two hour-long sessions with a trainer.
There will also be items up for auction from Rockcreek Archery and Enumclaw High School alum Brian Scalabrine, most recently of the Chicago Bulls. Scalabrine had actually agreed to be an honorary firefighter on the SmokeEaters team, Lynch said, having gone to school with several firefighters but was called away to another engagement.
To make up for his absence, he's donated signed jerseys and basketball t-shirts for the cause.
Boots and Badges t-shirts will also be for sale for $10 each.
As in past years, the LawDawgz have had to recruit from other departments in order to face the SmokeEaters, and this year is no different. Officers from Auburn Police, Bonney Lake Police, Enumclaw Police, Black Diamond, Orting, the Washington State Patrol and the King County Sheriff's Office make up the team - many of them playing in honor of colleagues who have or are fighting cancer.
The Black Diamond officer who has just returned to duty had played in previous years, Lynch said, but he has not yet been able to fully regain his strength. It seemed only fitting to save a spot for him meaning the LawDawgz are a 9-member squad this year. "We thought it would be appropriate not to fill his spot," he said
On the SmokeEaters side, many fire departments nationally support work and research to combat cancer - most notably through the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb that benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; Enumclaw Fire is no different.
There are also personal motivations. Over the course of a career in firefighting, cancer diagnoses are not rare. Years down the road, firefighters are dying from cancer and it's now classified as line of duty deaths, Lynch said.
Lynch's Relay for Life team has been able to raise more than $20,000 from the previous three Boots and Badges games, and he hopes this year will continue the tradition where the players play with heart and participants open their hearts to support a worthy cause.
The game takes place this Saturday, June 8 at Enumclaw High School. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with game time slated for 7 p.m.
Tickets are $6 at the door. Visit the event Facebook page for more information.
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