By EARL PARSONS
[email protected]
Rip staff writer

Law enforcement officers from all over Kern County brawled it out at the 13th annual Battle of the Badges event at the Bakersfield Dome.
The Battle of the Badges, coordinated by the Bakersfield Police Department’s Police Activities League, is one of the biggest fundraisers that BPAL has all year, according to Sgt. Chad Jackman, BPAL director.
BPAL provides athletic and educational programs to children at no cost in an effort to keep kids from engaging in criminal behavior.
BPAL’s facilities on 301 E. 4th St. are open from Monday to Friday 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., depending on the program, and on Saturdays for the boy scouts and soccer programs.
According to BPAL’s mission statement, “BPAL targets at risk youth in high crime neighborhoods.?
Through BPAL’s quality programs in education, athletics, and social development, we strive to teach children to become successful, responsible, and caring individuals.”
There were 11 fights, each lasting three rounds.
The announcer was KRAB radio DJ “Meathead” and the referee for each match was Mike Dallas, BPAL boxing coach and recreation coordinator.
The first fight, which was between BPAL girls Iliana Portillo and Liliana Almaguer, was called a draw after three rounds.
Chris Knutson of the BPD knocked out Corey Beilby of the Taft Police Department in one round during the second match. Jessey Esposito of the Probation Department also knocked out his opponent, Chance Williams of the District Attorney’s Office, in the first round.
In the fourth match between Eric Medrano of Probation and Louis Ortega of the California Department of Corrections, the audience began repeatedly chanting “Laredo,” the name of the minimum-security facility located on the outskirts of town. Medrano won a unanimous decision against Ortega after three rounds. Damacio Diaz of the BPD won a three-round decision against Julio Martinez of Probation in the fifth round.
BPAL boys Anthony Aguero and Julio Casas fought in the first match after the intermission. The match was declared a draw.
Mike Hale of the BPD knocked out Mark Jackson of the Kern County Sheriff’s Department in the second round to win the seventh match.
The eighth match between Louie Salas of Probation and Jose Aceves of CDC was easily the most contested and the greatest crowd pleaser. Salas was declared the winner after a three-round decision.
Anthony Swanson of the CDC defeated Jaime Rodarte of Probation in one round, Tommy Howell of the CDC beat Mike Lilijeroos of the California Highway Patrol in two rounds, and Jerry Miranda of the CDC beat Richard Figueroa of Probation in the second round to finish the event.
Among those present at the Battle of the Badges were Kern County sheriff Donny Youngblood, KERO channel 23 broadcaster Mike Hart and BPD chief Phil Rector, who opened with the story of a Eric South, a BPD officer who sustained wounds from chasing a suspect with a knife.
“This guy is a true fighter,” said Rector.