Blood battle: Deputies outdraw police department

A Vitalant blood services technician prepares Churchill County Undersheriff Lee Orozco for donating blood during last week’s Battle of the Badges.
Photo by Steve Ranson.

Last week’s fifth annual Battle of the Badges became a duel in the desert of donors giving their blood to either the Fallon Police Department or the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office.

After the last resident finished donating blood, and organizers began to tally the final numbers, CCSO broke its losing streak to their brothers and sisters in blue. Out of 99 whole blood donations that resulted in 133 units, CCSO edged Fallon Police 77 to 76 units.

“A win by one vote and a well fought battle,” said Shannon Perez, a systems administrator and legal secretary for the Churchill County District Attorney’s office and also a member of Ladies Behind the Badge, the driving force for collecting blood donations.

Donors not only included those from the two departments but also community members who designated the agency of their choice to receive credit for the blood.

Perez said residents and law enforcement officers from the two agencies donated 23 more units from 2022. Vitalant blood services conducted the two-day blood draw. She said the donations will save 399 lives.

“Our first day was a full day,” she said with 39 donations made in the name of the FPD and 33 for the CCSO.

By Thursday morning, CCSO led 39 to 33 donations. Not only did the Battle of the Badges attract more donors, Perez said the change of venue to the Fallon Convention Center allowed for a second day for the volunteers.

This year’s battle was close, promoting Fallon Police Chief Ron Wenger to call his officers on the second day and encouraging them to give blood during their break.

“It’s a good, friendly rivalry,” Wenger said after giving blood Thursday morning. “This is all done in fun. Look at the awesome community turnout.”

Sheriff Richard Hickox posted on the department’s Facebook page, calling it a win for the community and Northern Nevada.

“We are honored to have the trophy; it will remind us of all the great people in our community who came out and gave of their time but more importantly their life’s blood so that others may continue to live,” he said.

Longtime Fallon resident and retired veteran Dave Tilley, who served in the U.S. Navy and Nevada Air National Guard, said he began donating blood when he served in the military. Tilley said he looks forward to donating blood.

Arlene Detomasi, who was a donor on the first day of Battle of the Badges, said giving blood is important.

“Blood is very much needed,” she said. “I’ll keep giving blood until I can’t give any more.”

Detomasi said she’s appreciative of the blood transfusions her son Kyle received when he was a victim of a shooting in Boise, Idaho, in 2007.

“We were grateful for the people who donated,” she added.