KILLEEN, TX — For the second year in a row, the Killeen Fire and Police Departments held the battle for blood. Fifty people registered for the event and 39 units of blood were collected.
The departments partnered with Baylor Scott & White to host a blood drive on Thursday. The goal of the Boots v. Badges competition is to collect blood for local blood banks.
"With Baylor Scott & White blood center, every donation stays local so people that come in and donate are actually getting the chance to save the lives of the people here in our community,” said Kelly Rodriguez with the City of Killeen. "Our police and fire department have a friendly wager going on. Each person who comes in to donate gets to decide whether or not they are voting for police or fire."
Commander Alex Gearhart with the Killeen Fire Department not only shows up for the competition, but also for the cause.
"I donate several times a year usually," Commander Gearhart said. "As long as you are eligible, you should donate. I think you can help 3 or 4 people with one pint so there is no reason you shouldn’t, and you never know when it's going to be you that needs it or somebody you love that needs it."
The losers of the blood drive have to wash the winner’s cars or trucks. Last year, the fire department had to hose down 5 police vehicles.
They were hoping to not have a repeat this year. But it has been announced that the Killeen police won for the second year in a row with 58 percent of the vote, said a spokesperson for the City of Killeen.
As agreed and all in good fun, the fire department will be washing 5 police vehicles on July 31 at the police department headquarters!
