Jim Fair
Roger Rice, Sr., father of Laurens County Deputy Roger Rice, Jr., killed in action in 2011, is greeted at the weekend softball tournament at Greer's Century B Park.
Jim Fair
Captain Matt Hamby of the Greer Police Department reads the names of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in the Upstate.
Jim Fair
Perry Bowens, School Resource Officer in Greer, said fundraisers like this weekend's softball tournament motivates him to give his best.
• About the author. Kim Wooten, 25, graduated cum laude in 2010 from North Greenville University with a B.A. in Business Administration.
By Kim Wooten
As teams and families from the Upstate and Cherokee gathered for the opening ceremonies Saturday morning at Century B Park, there was one thing in their hearts — remembering their fellow officers.
The Greer Police Department hosted the 3rd Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Softball Tournament Saturday and Sunday to honor Laurens County Deputy Roger Rice, Jr., who lost his life in the line of duty in 2011.
Roger and Debra Rice, parents of Roger Rice, Jr., said the tournament was “very honorable. It keeps us going,” Debra said. “In our eyes, it’s like little Roger is still helping but in a different way.”
Roger and Debra threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Ten teams from eight departments entered with the proceeds benefitting the Upstate SC Law Enforcement Fallen Officers Fund. The Greer Police Department hosted the tournament and partnered with Gallagher’s Army, a national organization that helps support and raise money for the fund.
James Sharratta, coach for the Greer PD, explained that writing a check for a power bill for a bereaved family may help them become stable after their loss.
Sharratta said the players enjoy getting together outside of work to have fun and honor their fellow officers. Although “all of us will come into work Monday sore,” he said with a laugh.
Perry Bowens, a Student Resource Officer in Greer, said, “All the fallen officers’ families motivate me to come out here and give them my best.” Bowens played despite reinjuring a pulled groin early in Greer’s first game.
Fire and police participants dove for balls just out of their reach, slid into bases while wearing shorts, and base runners and fielders frequently collided not wanting to give an inch.
The wife of a participating Laurens County Sherriff’s officer laughed and said she will be nursing her husband for days and weeks after the tournament.
Deputy Drew Howard of the Cherokee County Sherriff’s office said his department support fallen officers throughout the state.
“We are all brothers and sisters in arms,” Howard said.