POTEAU, Oka. – The Poteau Police Department Wives Association has chosen to donate proceeds from the Lt. Gary Don Ford softball tournament in the form of a student scholarship for Kiamichi Tech’s Police Officer Training Academy program.
The annual softball tournament is set to be held on June 24, 2023 at 9 AM at the PARC fields and is a double elimination tournament. Teams are made up of various law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and other first responders throughout the county. The tournament is held in honor of the late Lieutenant Gary Don Ford.
Lt. Ford was a medal of valor decorated peace officer who retired from the Poteau Police Department with 20 years of service to the community. He is fondly remembered by the officers he served with and was a true friend and public servant. Lt. Ford was an avid sports fan, and softball was one of many sports he enjoyed watching and participating in. “He regularly volunteered to play in benefit tournaments before his retirement, and always enjoyed supporting a good cause,” said Detective Chris Adams of the Poteau Police Department. “We wanted to establish this benefit tournament in his honor because it seemed like a wonderful way to pay tribute to someone who was a valuable asset to our department and community, in a way he would have appreciated.”
The Poteau Police Department and its Wives Association would like to invite all community members to come watch the tournament and support this cause. Proceeds from this tournament will continue to support scholarship efforts for the education and training of future law enforcement officers at Kiamichi Tech.
Kiamichi Tech is set to begin its third Police Officer Training Academy in August. The training program has won state and national awards; through the partnership with local and regional law enforcement agencies, Kiamichi Tech is proud to bring a program of this caliber to the Poteau community.
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