Galveston Island Battle of the Badges Puts on a Show

by Lt. Jorge Trevino

After months of preparation, the long awaited night had finally arrived.  Two dance groups were in separate dressing rooms preparing for their performances.  A rappel master was inspecting the ceiling structure to insure that everything was still in order.  In the meantime a Galveston Police motorcycle officer was pointing out that the convention center floor was a bit slippery and it would require extra caution on his part when maneuvering his motorcycle around.  On the other side of the hall, a 6 foot 6 inch police officer in a Grim Reaper outfit was getting an equipment issue of sorts.   An extensive search of costume shops had netted no results in the effort to find a plastic scythe that was long enough to accommodate this extra tall performer so a real scythe was located and ordered. That item had just arrived and it was painfully apparent that extra care would have to be taken with this dangerously sharp and deadly looking prop. 

All of this preparation was not for a fancy Broadway production.  It was for the Galveston Island Battle of the Badges (Hometown Heroes Fighting for a Cause) boxing tournament.  The event was being presented for the third year and had many surprises in store for its audience.  At the end of the event we were pleased that it was almost flawless and the audience was treated to four hours of Vegas-quality entertainment.  A couple of the fighter entrances included mariachi music accompanied by a large group of Mexican Folkloric dancers.  The colorful costumes lit up the stage and excited the crowd.  You see, in this boxing tournament, the entrances are as important as the actual fights and there are awards given for “Best Fighter Entrance” and runner up. 

The runner up entrance featured a Grim Reaper walking slowly out of a cloud of smoke.  He stopped on the stage and stood perfectly still with scythe in hand as 10 bell gongs could be heard in the distance.  The ten count was slow, ominous, and was, of course, symbolic. It appeared to make some in the audience a little apprehensive and that was the desired effect.  After the tenth gong the grim reaper slowly pointed his bony skeleton hand with an extended index finger toward the fighter waiting patiently and probably nervously in the red corner.  The blue team fighter then walked in from behind the curtain and stood in front of the angel of death and slowly walked down the eight foot by 60 foot stage as DMX sang his rendition of “Ain’t No Sunshine When It’s On.”  Once in the ring, the real show began as red team Port Police Officer Phillip Tamayo and blue team UTMB P.D. Officer Derrick Fillmore picked up right where they left off in 2009 at the first battle of the badges when Tamayo walked away with a close and still debated decision win.  At the end of the three round slugfest, the result was the same, as Tamayo walked away with a much clearer decision win this time around.

“Fighter Entrance of the Night” honors went to Galveston County Deputy Joe Falcon.  After his interview was played on the three jumbotron screens, the focus turned to the stage as the audience waited to see what this fighter had in store for them.  Sounds of gunfire and helicopter blades chopping the wind could be heard in the distance.  These sounds became louder and as the smoke cleared on the stage one could clearly see that a six-man military fire team, armed with automatic rifles, was slowly getting to their feet.  The team leader then gave the move signal and the squad proceeded forward, ever so slowly and methodically.  The laser targeting devices attached to their rifles emitted beams that cut through the smoke and accentuated the fact that every angle and every area was covered.  When the sounds of war were replaced by an upbeat tune (Unbreakable by Metallica) the soldiers double timed to the ring and took strategic positions at the stairs and then boarded the ring.  Then, without notice, a rope bag was seen falling from the ceiling and Deputy Falcon dropped halfway down to the ring before applying the brakes on his rappel rope.  He hung there and slowly spun around as he pointed at the audience who in turn erupted in cheers and applause.  He then dropped to the ring and was geared up with headgear and gloves and continued to put on a show.  Deputy Falcon and his opponent Luis Lopez so thrilled the audience with their fight that they were awarded the Male Fight of the Night award. 

“Female Fight of the Night“ was awarded to blue team Deputy Amanda Quintanilla and red team’s Christina Trevino.  Christina walked in first and all eyes were focused on the screens as the fight announcer urged the crowd to prepare for the “trash talking.”  This so called trash talking was carefully scripted by the producers of the show and was highly effective in getting the crowd hyped up for the fights.  Christina started with “I’m Christina Trevino and in 2009 and 2010, I participated as a ring girl. This year I wanted a challenge so I decided to fight.  This is a wonderful event and I have met a lot of wonderful people in it.  Amanda, you are one of those wonderful people.  That’s why it’s going to be a shame that I’m going to have to knock you out!!”  

This got the crowd fired up, especially the blue team fans who cheered loudly when Amanda’s video started to play.  In it she was heard saying, “My name is Amanda Quintanilla and I work for the Galveston County Sherriff’s Office.  Christina, your Daddy got you into this fight.  But I‚m going to get you out !!”  When the bell rang, these two ladies came out swinging and did not stop until the final bell.  When the fight was over, the audience gave them a standing ovation in appreciation for their outstanding effort.  The fight was so close that the officials, who, by procedure will only declare the winner and nothing else, presented the ring announcer with the exact scores.  The crowd sat back and there was loud applause as it was announced that judge number one had scored it 22 to 21 Quintanilla.  He continued to inform the audience that judge number two had seen it as 22 to 21 for Trevino.  Everyone waited and the anticipation could be seen in both fighter’s faces as the announcer sang out that it was a split decision with judge number three scoring it 22 to 21, for the winner, in the blue corner Amanda Quintanilla.                

These are only a few of the highlights of the night.  There were many other entertaining and unforgettable entrances and fights.  Compliments have not stopped coming in and there is already incredible interest from the police and the fire fighters to fight in next year’s battle.   The night was successful in other meaningful ways.  Thanks to sponsorships and ticket sales proceeds, we were happy to be able to donate money to the following charities:  $22,000 to the Galveston Boy’s and Girl’s Club, $5,000 to Galveston County Kids and Cops (summer camp for at risk youth), $5,000 to Camp Janus (free camp for burn survivors ages 5-18 years old), $2,000 to Shriner’s Burn Hospital and $2,000 to USA Boxing.   We would like to again express our gratitude to our major sponsors, AMOCO Federal Credit union, A-1 County Bonding/H-Town Bail Bonds, and The TEXAS Air National Guard.   

The 2011 Galveston Island Battle of the Badges was an unforgettable night spotlighting our public safety professionals. We were happy to be a part of it and hope to be a part of it for years to come.