Behind the Badge
More than 30 Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputies and correctional services assistants (CSAs), along with Undersheriff Don Barnes, were on hand Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Special Olympics Regional Fall Games at Valley High School in Santa Ana.
Barnes served as emcee of the event, in which scores of athletes trained and prepared for weeks for the chance to compete for gold medals.
Deputy Aron Grumbles, who lost his leg in a 2015 traffic collision, had the honor of carrying the torch to the Games. Grumbles works for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department mentoring future recruits and preparing them for the academy.
Here are images of the spirited competition:
OCSD Deputy Fernando Lopez stands in line to welcome Special Olympics athletes as they enter the stadium.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Special Olympics athletes get high-fives from members of the OCSD at the start of opening ceremonies.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Family members and supporters cheer as the Special Olympics athletes enter the stadium at Valley High School for the opening ceremonies.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
OCSD Deputy Jesus Carrasco gives high-fives to Special Olympics athletes as they enter the stadium at Valley High School for the opening ceremonies.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Running with a prosthetic leg, OCSD Deputy Aron Grumbles holds the torch with Special Olympics athletes Becca Nernney of Garden Grove, left, and Shelly Goodhope of Gardena, during the opening ceremonies.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
OCSD Deputy Aron Grumbles holds the torch up after running into the stadium.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
OCSD CSAs (correctional service assistants) and deputies welcome Special Olympics athletes as they enter the stadium.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Special Olympics athletes gather with OCSD members for one last group shot at the conclusion of the opening ceremonies.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
OCSD deputies and CSTs (correctional service technicians) welcome athletes as they enter the stadium.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
An OCSD deputy gives high-fives to Special Olympics athletes as they enter the stadium at Valley High School for the opening ceremonies.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Special Olympics athlete Josh Roy of Lake Forest has his photo taken with OCSD deputies at the conclusion of opening ceremonies.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Special Olympics athletes get a welcome from members of the OCSD as they enter the stadium.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
OCSD Dep. Jillian York gives high-fives to Special Olympics athletes as they enter the stadium at Valley High School during opening ceremonies.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
