O’FALLON, Mo. – The second annual Battle of the Badges Classic took place at CarShield Field, uniting police and firefighters in a baseball game to support St. Louis officer Nathan Spiess, critically injured in the line of duty in March.
Despite the rain, the community gathered at CarShield Field to cheer on police and fire crews from across the region in a friendly rivalry with a powerful purpose. Proceeds from the event will go to Officer Nathan Spiess and his family as they navigate the long road to recovery.
“It’s very emotional to see the support you know from everybody,” said Trina Spiess, mother of Officer Nathan Spiess. “I mean everybody’s been fantastic you know. I think it makes it feel better. The support from the community, his friends the police department …you can’t ask for anything more.”
“To have something like 10-78 to come alongside you and support you and let you know you are loved on… and how to best recover that would’ve meant everything to us,” said Katie Frkovic, co-founder of the 10-78 Project. “That’s what we want to do for other people.”
“It’s so important to support our police and our firefighters and our paramedics especially in our community,” said attendee Sherri Unger. “I mean when they make so many sacrifices for their families, their loved ones and people they don’t even know I can’t help but admire them… so it’s fun to be here!”
Nathan’s twin brother, Nick Spiess, played for the fire team in a heartfelt show of solidarity. This gesture was part of a larger effort led by the 10-78 Project, a nonprofit offering mental, spiritual, and practical support to officers affected by traumatic incidents.
The night was filled with emotion, entertainment, and community pride, featuring raffles and jersey auctions. The event highlighted the importance of supporting first responders long after the sirens stop.
The Battle of the Badges not only showcased the spirit of competition but also highlighted the community’s commitment to supporting its first responders. The proceeds will help Officer Spiess and his family during his recovery, demonstrating the power of unity and resilience.
All facts from this article were gathered by KTVI journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by KTVI staff.