Springtown Police Department wins fifth annual Battle of the Badges

SPRINGTOWN — Springtown-area blood donors backed the blue during this year’s Battle of the Badges Blood Drive.

City Administrator and Public Safety Director David Miller cheerfully announced that Springtown Police Department won the competitive drive where donors chose between police and Parker County Emergency Services District 1.

“Now, for the moment I’ve been waiting for,” Miller said during his monthly report to the city council Aug. 22, as members started a drumroll. “It’s been a long battle, but our cops finally beat those firefighters in the Battle of the Badges.”

The fifth annual drive was held last month outside the municipal annex building next to city hall. Before this year, ESD 1 was technically ahead in the friendly contest. The agencies were tied last year, and ESD 1 has won the competition twice while the police department has only come out on top once before now. After this year’s drive, Springtown Police Department and ESD 1 have an equal number of victories.

Assistant City Administrator Christina Derr confirmed that 48 pints of blood were donated in total during the two-day drive. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, one blood donation can save up to three lives, and someone in the U.S. needs blood about every two seconds.

As someone who led a career in law enforcement, Miller said he is proud of Springtown Police Department’s achievement while stoking the playful rivalry between police officers and firefighters.

“The reality is we finally beat those little rascals,” he said.