Sun staff
Hundreds of police and fire personnel from Ohio and beyond traveled to Clermont County June 8-13 for the 2014 Ohio Police and Fire Games.
Sheriff A.J. “Tim” Rodenberg said the games, which featured multiple days of sports competition, went well.
“It went very smoothly,” Rodenberg said. “We got a lot of positive feedback from the competitors. Some said it was the best they ever experienced.”
Rodenberg said hosting the Ohio Police and Fire Games was a huge undertaking that took the collaboration and cooperation of many individuals.
“We had a lot of volunteers and coordinators that I really appreciate,” Rodenberg said.
Rodenberg said individuals stepped up to organize the variety of events.
He said local school districts and local businesses and organizations generously provided facilities for the events.
“They rolled out the red carpet for us,” Rodenberg said. “All of this was almost no expense.”
Rodenberg said they estimate that they had around 500 participants at the games.
Joe Scioli, with the Somers Point Police Department in New Jersey, participated in the Pump and Run event at the games.
“It’s awesome,” Scioli said about the Clermont County games. “A good experience and good competition.”
Other competitions at the games included basketball, weightlifting, rifle events, wrestling, darts, bowling, and many more.
Clermont County Sheriff’s Office Chief Administrative Officer Jim Malloni, who helped organize the games, said during the games that the events were all going like clockwork.
“We’re ecstatic,” Malloni said about the games.
Rodenberg said while the experience has been a positive one, he thinks they will wait a few years before volunteering to host another event.
“I think everyone was very pleased,” Rodenberg said. “It’s not something we will do right away again, maybe 30 years from now.”
Rodenberg said he is planning on participating in the 2015 games. He participated in the 2013 games and won several gold medals in weightlifting events.
For more information about the Ohio Police and Fire Games, visit www.theohiopoliceandfiregames.org.