OPELOUSAS POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE pg 1 of 2 DATE: July 12, 2012 FROM: THE OPELOUSAS POLICE DEPARTMENT SGT. JODY WHITE - PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER

“Opelousas Police Support Special Olympics”

This upcoming weekend, August 4th & 5th, 2012, members of the Opelousas Police Department will attempt to defend their State Title in the sport of softball as the 3rd Annual Louisiana Special Olympics “Battle of the Badge” gets underway at Pelican Park in Carencro, La. The event is sponsored by Special Olympics of Louisiana and many of the “Special Olympians” from around the state usually open the games by throwing out the first pitch on all of the softball fields. Chief Gallow and several members of the Opelousas Police Department are thrilled to be able to show support for such a great organization such as Special Olympics. The tournament is a co-ed event with each team using 6 guys and 4 girls during the course of a game. At least six of the team members have to be a member of law enforcement, fire, military, or medical personnel. Last year, with the tournament held in Gonzales, La., Chief Gallow and fellow members of the team known as the “Bad Boys & Girls” swept the competition enroute to a first place finish. Members of the Opelousas Police Department representing the “Bad Boys & Girls” include Chief Gallow, Sgt. Jody White, Pfc. Herbert Levier, P.O. Christopher Kimble, Sgt. Paul Cortez, Sgt. Alonzo Ned, who represents the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, Trooper Travis Gallow, who represents the Louisiana , and Doyle Westbrook, business owner from Lafayette rounds out the “Boys”! The “Girls” portion of the team involves Port Barre High’s Trinella Glaude and Notre Dame’s Lauren Delahoussaye, two educators presently in the Louisiana School System. Former Northwest High standout Edna Lastrapes plays a role on the team along with Merrill Westbrook, Emily Montz, and Christy Romero, prominent business women centered around the Lafayette and Opelousas area. This year, several of the local teams vowed to do their best to attempt to take the title from the

OPELOUSAS POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE pg 2 of 2 Opelousas Police Department. Approximately 16 teams are scheduled to appear in the tournament including teams from the Lafayette Police Department, Carencro Police Department, Iberia Sheriff’s Office, and Lafayette Sheriff’s Office. Although the opportunity is available for all of the other teams, Chief Gallow stated that he has no intentions on letting any other department display “OUR” championship trophy. Contact Public Information Officer – Sgt. Jody White @ 337-319-7797 or 337-948- 2500 for additional information.

OPELOUSAS POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE pg 3 of 2