LPD beat LFD 65-51

Playing before a near capacity crowd, the Lakewood Police Department outscored the Lakewood Fire Department in their sixth annual charity basketball game at Pierce College's gym Saturday. Final score was 65-51.

With feelings still extremely strong in the community after the killing of four police officers and Police Chief Bret Farrar and his wife both undergoing cancer treatments, both the players and the crowd in attendance showed a lot of emotion. A silent auction and raffle brought in additional funds.

Before the game got underway, the jersey of Police Officer Ronnie Owens was retired and the charity was renamed the Make a Difference Fund. He had played in each of the previous games. And, Lakewood Professional Firefighters Local 1488 presented a $20,000 check to the Lakewood Police Independent Guild.

A highlight of the evening, in addition to the action-packed basketball game, was watching assistant Lakewood Police Chief Mike Zaro get his full head of hair shorn in support of Chief Farrar and as a fundraiser for cancer cures. A $1,000 contribution helped smooth the way as Brian Wurts wielded the clippers. “This head hasn’t seen daylight since the day I was born,” Zaro commented as he prepared for the event.

Also participating was an honor guard from the two departments and Boy Scouts. The National Anthem was sung by the Akafellas, a musical group that also provided entertainment prior to the game.

Helping make the event a success was the sponsors, including: 24-Hour Fitness, Lakewood 911 Driving School, Accountability Counseling Services, Albertson’s, Bella Salon & Spa, Carr’s Restaurant, Costco, Current Sea LLC, Dockyard Derby Dames, Domino’s Pizza, Firestone, Grand Prix Racing, Great American Casino, Hands of Light Massage, Hess Bakery, Jiffy Lube, KISW 99.9, L&L Printing, Lakewood Music, Les Schwab, Minuteman Press, Moon Rise café, Northwest Sports Physical Therapy, Northwest Tournaments, Panera Bread, Papa Murphy’s, Pierce College, Saar’s, Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Sounders, South Sound Officials Association, Starbucks, Super Cuts, Surplus Ammo & Arms, Tacoma Arts Supply, Target and Western Graphics. KLAY Radio broadcast the game live.

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