Photo: Harrisonburg Police Department
The Harrisonburg Police Department had a lot to be proud of after taking part in the 2025 World Police and Fire Games held in Birmingham, Alabama.
Officers from HPD earned an impressive haul of medals, including three golds, three silvers, and two bronzes for their team.
Timothy Rugg, an HPD officer who also serves as a student resource officer, described the event as a kind of Olympic competition for police and firefighters worldwide, with over 60 countries participating. He and his teammates mostly competed in cycling events.
Rugg shared how meaningful it was to receive the medals on the podium. “At first, you think you’re representing just the Harrisonburg Police Department, then you realize you’re representing the entire United States,” he said. “We wore jerseys showing both the American flag and the Virginia state seal. It was amazing to start out thinking this was just a fun competition, and then realize the bigger significance of it.”
The officers had spent months preparing for the games, and their commitment showed. Lt. Wesley Douglas pointed out that this wasn’t something they casually jumped into; it’s a regular part of their lives and training, giving them the chance to compete on a global stage.
Detective Alan Dyer added that while many athletes start competing internationally at a young age, this event gave him the rare opportunity to race against competitors he’d never faced before.
Overall, the Harrisonburg Police Department expressed great pride in their team’s hard work and achievements at the event.
SOURCE: WHSV3