OXFORD, AL — First responders from across Calhoun County traded badges for bowls and recipes Saturday, Aug. 8, as the Calhoun County Blue Line Foundation hosted its third annual Battle of the Badges Chili Cook-Off at the Oxford Civic Center.
Oxford Police Chief Daniel Phipps served as emcee for the event, which brought law enforcement officers, firefighters and community members together for an afternoon of friendly competition, fellowship and support for local law enforcement.
During the event, representatives of the Calhoun County Blue Line Foundation also announced a partnership with Global K-9 that will provide a K-9 to the Weaver Police Department. The donation includes the K-9 as well as all required training for both the dog and its handler. The announcement highlighted one of the ways the foundation works to provide resources and support to law enforcement agencies throughout Calhoun County.
The chili competition remained at the center of the afternoon, with Deputy Evan Ontiveros taking first place after his recipe earned the top score from the judges.
Darlene Berta of the Anniston Police Department finished second, while Samuel Mills of the Anniston Fire Department took third place. Josh Parker of the Piedmont Police Department earned the People’s Choice Award, which was determined by votes from those attending the event.
While the chili competition was serious enough to earn bragging rights, some of the day’s most memorable competition came through a decidedly less serious dispute over what may — or may not — have been inside a few of the chili pots.
Alabama Sen. Keith Kelley added to the festivities with a prerecorded video containing tongue-in-cheek “allegations” involving Piedmont Police Chief Nathan Johnson and Ohatchee Police Chief Alan Kelly and the origins of the meat used in their chili.
The accusations were entirely playful and part of the good-natured rivalry surrounding the event, rather than allegations of actual misconduct.
Johnson responded with his own mock “Press Notification,” categorically denying that roadkill had been used in his recipe — before joking that he could guarantee the meat did not originate from a roadway because it was “actually found along the banks of Terrapin Creek.”
Johnson further joked that no “deceased critter” used in preparing his chili had been left at room temperature for more than two hours.
Kelly took the joke even further with an “Official Chili Ingredient Disclosure” issued in response to Kelley’s allegations.
The Ohatchee police chief provided a lengthy mock ingredient list stating that the two pounds of ground meat in his recipe could potentially include everything from cow, deer and turkey to squirrel, opossum, armadillo, skunk and numerous other animals.
Kelly jokingly assured the public that any meat selected would be “free of lead” and that, although an animal may have been struck by a vehicle, it had not actually been run over. He also maintained that required cooking temperatures were followed and referenced his ServSafe training.
The back-and-forth added another layer of friendly interagency rivalry to an event designed to bring first responders and the public together outside their normal professional roles.
Photography throughout the event was provided by Love Photography, which donated its photography services to the Calhoun County Blue Line Foundation.
The afternoon offered first responders from across the county an opportunity to relax, exchange stories, visit with residents and compete for chili bragging rights while supporting the mission of the Calhoun County Blue Line Foundation.
The foundation supports law enforcement agencies throughout Calhoun County by helping provide resources, training and equipment.
The full video featuring Sen. Kelley’s original playful accusations can be viewed on the Calhoun County Blue Line Foundation Facebook page.
