medals from police olympics

By BETH LAKEY

Staff Writer

July 4, 2000 10 PM

Three of Troy’s finest also finished at the top during the Sixth Annual Southeastern Police and Fire Championships.

Last month, Sgt. Wayne Floyd, Officer Danny Barron and Officer John Jerkins of the Troy Police Department headed to Birmingham for the Olympic-like events that were organized to promote participation in athletic competition by members of the law enforcement and fire fighting communities, promote physical fitness, a spirit of benevolence, friendship, sportsmanship, good will and comraderie among law enforcement officers and fire fighters, as well as promoting good will between communities and those public servants who put their lives on the line.

Floyd and Jerkins came home with gold medals and Barron returned with a bronze.

It was pretty obvious this was not the first time Jerkins had competed in the shot put event.

His gold medal was the result of throwing the heavy metal ball almost 47 feet during competition with about10 others in the 30 to 39 age division.

"Shot put is all about strength," Jerkins said.

In his first time out, Floyd won the gold in weightlifting by breaking last year’s record by 15 pounds when he lifted 345 pounds in the 40 to 49 age group.

"I’ve always done weight training, but this is the first time I’ve ever competed," Floyd said.

Barron’s bronze was won when he bench pressed 260 pounds in the 30 and under age division.

"It’s a big deal," Floyd said of the competition.

Although Floyd and Barron were the ones to actually compete, they had help in getting there.

Richard Shaughnessy, strength and conditioning coach at Troy State University, established a training program for the officers.

Plus, the support from Chief Anthony Everage and the Troy City Council was important to all three men.

"We’ve been training for this since January," Floyd said. "We’ve already started training for next year because the competition is pretty though."

Jerkins was pleased he had travel companions this year and all three are already looking forward to next year. They hope others from the Troy Police Department will also choose to participate

"You look forward to it every year," Jerkins said. "I enjoy going every year."

As a matter of fact, Jerkins is hoping to win again next year and to continue on to the international championships.

Other events included: basketball, bass tournament, bowling, flag football, golf, honor guard competition, pistol combat, rifle, slo-pitch, toughest competitor alive, track and field and tug-of-war.

In addition to the competitions, participants were also given the chance to attend seminars in hazardous materials awareness, specialized rescue, weapons of mass destruction and stress management.