Battle of the Badges

In a fantastic comeback win from behind, the Suffolk County Lawmen softball team overcame the Nassau County Lawmen, 39-37, in the Battle of the Badges at Baseball Heaven in Yaphank.

The Suffolk County Lawmen are made up of correction officers and deputy sheriffs from the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office and police officers from the Suffolk County Police Department.  The Nassau County Lawmen are made up of police officers from the Nassau County Police Department.

Before the game, the National Anthem was performed, with accompaniment by the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard and the Suffolk County Police Department Pipes and Drums.

SCPD Officer Christopher Racioppo threw the ceremonial first pitch of the game. On April 10, Racioppo was stabbed in the leg in Patchogue by drunk driver Jonathan Nunez when Racioppo attempted to pull over Nunez. Reports said the knife severed Racioppo’s femoral artery, requiring emergency surgery.

The event was free, but all donations benefited the USA Patriots/Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team. The mission of the USA Patriots is “to bring athletic and like-minded veteran amputees together to promote the benefits of inclusive sport and therapeutic recreational activities, to inspire and motivate communities of people, to support children with physical challenges, and to operate as a vehicle that offers national opportunities for continued service to our country.”