The South Carolina Highway Patrol Pistol Team returned victorious from this year’s World Police and Fire Games, with nearly a dozen medals in hand.
“This experience provided us with the chance to compete alongside elite shooters from around the world, and we feel truly honored to represent our state,” said SCHP Captain Shaun Sherriff, who brought home two gold medals and three silver medals. “We reconnected with old friends while also making new acquaintances with law enforcement officers from other countries.”
The World Police and Fire Games is an Olympic-style competition for first responders held every two years at different venues across the globe, with this year’s events happening in Birmingham, Alabama. More than 24,000 first responders from over 60 countries gathered to compete. This highly competitive contest incorporates a wide range of games, from boxing and basketball to shooting and K-9 narcotics detection.
Among the thousands of contestants was the SCHP’s own Pistol Team represented by Sherriff, as well as Captain Barney Pope and Lieutenant Timothy Bush.
“I am incredibly honored to represent the Highway Patrol and South Carolina at this competition,” said Bush, who took home a silver medal. “Meeting and competing with such dedicated professionals from around the globe humbles me and reminds me of the strength of our shared commitment to service and community.”
Despite competition from hundreds of other first responders in the Police Pistol Combat and Action Pistol games, in total SCHP earned five gold medals, five silver medals, and one bronze medal.
“This kind of success validates our training on a worldwide stage,” said Pope, who earned three gold medals, a silver medal, and a bronze medal. “I like the idea that there is some police chief in Dubai or Australia or some other place, wondering who in the world the SC Highway Patrol Pistol Team is! I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to represent The South Carolina Highway Patrol, our state, and ultimately the United States, at this competition.”
