Ladies … and gentlemen … are you ready for the 3rd annual Battle of the Badges: The Fight for Autism?
The 2016 battles begin at 5 p.m. Oct. 8 at J.I. Case High School, 7345 Washington Avenue, in Mount Pleasant. Doors open at 3 p.m., and admission is $20 for ages 15 and up. Kids 14 and under are free.
The first two events combined raised nearly $100,000, $28,000 and almost $67,000, respectively, for autism services through Easter Seals. This year, proceeds will also get directed to the annual Shop with a Cop event and Autism Solutions Pieces.
This year’s event features 12 bouts with 24 fighters:
Bout 1:
Lisa Panas, Waukesha Sheriff’s Department
vs.
JulieAnn Guiste, Knoxville, IL, Fire Departmen
Bout 2:
Bryan Schmidt, Racine Sheriff’s Department
vs.
Michael Preston, Kenosha Sheriff’s Department
Bout 3:
Becky Wittig, Waukesha Sheriff’s Department
vs.
Michelle Frank, Racine Fire Department
Bout 4:
Shawn Riege, Waukesha Sheriff’s Department
vs.
Jason Boissonnault, South Shore Fire Department
Bout 5:
Lance Dahl, Kenosha Fire Department
vs.
Lenn Walker, Park City Police Department
Bout 6:
Julius Barker, Racine Sheriff’s Department
vs.
Aaron Bixby, Cudahy Fire Department
Bout 7:
Sam Stulo, Racine Police Department
vs.
William Dumovich, Waukesha Fire Department
Bout 8:
Barbara Teeling, Racine County Corrections
vs.
Samantha Tietz, Kenosha County Corrections
Bout 9:
David Kless, Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department
vs.
Bob Renteria, Racine Fire Department
Bout 10:
Michelle Leffler, Waukesha Sheriff’s Department
vs.
Deanna Migacz, Kenosha Fire Department
Bout 11:
Jodi Nelson, Madison Police Department
vs.
Donna O’Brien, Round Lake Park Police Department
Bout 12: Main Event
Joseph Bialkowski, Racine Police Department
vs.
Johnathon Scifres, Kenosha Sheriff’s Department
This is the third year Mount Pleasant police Officer James Kelley and his wife, Lisa – plus a veritable army of volunteers – have put on the Battle of the Badges. Kelley’s friendship and trash-talking with MPPD Sgt. Jason Vaccaro led to the first event when a fellow officer said he’d put his money where Kelley’s and Vaccaro’s mouths were. Ten officers and firefighters from Racine County agencies participated in 2014, but that number swelled in 2015 to 24 fighters in 12 bouts; two of which featured women.
In addition to the fights, attendees will also have the opportunity to take chances on a bucket raffle and silent auction featuring hundreds of donations from local businesses, organizations and individuals.