“Sunny Isles Beach Officers Bring Recognition to Fla. Police Olympics…”
By Chief Fred Maas

The week of June 20, 2005, was a special one for officers of the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department. Their reputation as good cops and good athletes locally was now going to be challenged thru a statewide competition in Jacksonville, Fla.

The event was the annual police Olympics games which have been in existence for over 35 years. Police officers from around the entire state, more than 3,000 of them gather in one city to test their individual and team skills in a variety of athletic competitions. Events include team sports such as flag football, softball, basketball, etc. Individual competitions are also held in bowling, tennis, golf and weight-lifting to name just a few.

This year of 2005, the largest contingent of officers from the SIBPD traveled to Jacksonville to represent their city and their agency. Armed with athletic equipment, carrying cases of medical needs especially muscle and joint pain relievers and a car load of pride, a dozen of our finest headed north for the competitions. Officers typically train year round for this event. Our agency has its own flag football and softball team that participate in local leagues throughout the year.

This year’s competition was some of the toughest ever; or is it because I’m just a year older? The flag football team consisting of the younger guys won several games in a row and made it to the quarter finals before losing out to a corrections team. Several officers from SIB received recognition for their outstanding play including quarterback Javier Estevez, receivers John Wyche and Keith Burrows. Wyche and Burrows were standouts on defense as well. To watch these cop/athletes perform in the grueling heat of the day, citizens of Sunny Isles Beach would have been proud of their City’s finest.

In the evening, softball takes center stage and is divided into two groups, the open and seniors, or as I refer to them as the young and the old; myself clearly playing with the old.

Both teams and players did exceptionally well and both made the finals for playoffs. The young group led by Javier Estevez as pitcher, Yohans Martinez and Eddie Santiago as offensive and defensive stars, propelled their team to within one victory of an Olympic medal. Next year for sure they promised.

In the senior division, yours truly and Tom Hopkins combined with the Miami Beach Police Team and we surprised a few teams. No medal but a lot of fun for some “ole guys” who think they still have it. Next year, we’ll get the new Captain, Joe Ernand out there, who is a formidable ballplayer himself.

But the great news is that once again, Sunny Isles Beach did bring home an Olympic medal by one of our regular competitors only this time it was the “Gold” medal for 1st place. Sgt. Ray Atesiano once again blew them away in the power lifting competition by lifting a whopping 495 lbs. during the bench press to secure his spot in the record books and bring home the gold to our city. Congratulations Ray, and to your long time workout partner and friend, Sgt. Eddie Santiago and your wife Zinnia, who were both present for your “Victory.”

Quite possibly, the most meaningful event, to me anyway, was the team dinner we all gathered for the first night of the competitions. The mood was festive, filled with anticipation and high expectations and very relaxing. Stories were shared, some of them even true, as a spirit of camaraderie and fellowship developed that comes with team sports.

I am thankful that even today I have been blessed with good health and adequate talent to still participate in athletics. I am honored to play alongside my officers who are also my friends. I am proud to stand alongside them and observe the respect and recognition they bring to our city and our police department. I mean to tell you when the competition was over, the whole state knew who Sunny Isles Beach was and where we were located. They also knew we would be back next year.

There is a lot to be said about team sports, athletic competitions and an officer who prides himself by keeping in shape thru athletics and workouts. Many great qualities are learned and developed thru these efforts, especially teamwork. You lose the “I” and learn the “we.”

We are all grateful to our City Manager Christopher Russo who supports us every year and believes in us. And to our loyal sponsors, you know who you are so we can proudly wear the name of Sunny Isles Beach both on our uniforms and in our hearts. The following are those who gave much blood, sweat and soreness to this year’s competition:

Congratulations and Thanks Everyone!!!

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