DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — Bragging rights and a trophy were up for grabs at the second annual “Battle of the Badges” as the New York Police Department (NYPD) and Fire Department of New York (FDNY) basketball teams laced up their sneakers for a friendly game of hoops and charity at the Barclays Center — home of the Brooklyn Nets — on Sunday, Jan. 26. 

Tickets to the game were $25, and all proceeds went to support the Timothy P. Klein Memorial Foundation, the New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation and the NYPD Widow’s and Children’s Fund. 

The event opened with the presentation of the colors by the NYPD and FDNY color guards and the National Anthem. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who gave her team a pep talk in the locker room before the “battle,” and FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker had the honor of tipping off the game.

Tucker was confident that New York City’s Bravest would emerge victoriously this time against the city’s Finest. Last year, the FDNY lost to the NYPD 65-59. 

“I’m very excited to be in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center to cheer on the members of the FDNY, and I think we’re going to win this year. You heard it here,” Tucker told Brooklyn Eagle. “I think it’s going to be a close game like it was last year — except this year, we’re gonna be the winners.”

Tucker thought friendly competitions like the event at the Barclays Center were great for the morale of the two city agencies. 

“I think the fire department and the police department have never gotten along better than they are getting along today, and so the competition on the court is really more about camaraderie,” Tucker said.

While neither team dominated the first half of the game — at halftime, the score was 35-35 —  the smoke eaters stepped up during the second half, and despite spirited efforts by the guys in blue, the FDNY won 74-67. 

FDNY basketball coach Lyonel Rosemond was elated that his team emerged victorious. 

“We feel good,” Rosemond said. “We beat the NYPD in the summertime in the park tournament. So I’m good. I’m happy.”

Rosemond said that while it was great to have a fun day, it was important to remember that the tournament was about supporting charities, like the Timothy P. Klein Memorial Foundation. Klein, a six-year veteran with the FDNY, was killed during a collapse at a Brooklyn house fire in 2022. 

“Timmy Klein was a firefighter in Ladder 170, where I was a firefighter prior to going to Squad 288, and he passed away in a fire,” Rosemond said. “Half the proceeds of this is going to the Timmy Klein Foundation. I’m happy about that. The game is fun to have, but it’s about the charities and people we give back to.”

Bertie Bowman, a captain with the NYPD Detective Bureau, has been coaching the basketball team for 10 years. The 17-year NYPD veteran said that he “definitely” had to go back to the drawing board after his team’s loss. 

“The FDNY came with some adjustments from last year. They definitely played well and they definitely played hard,” Bowman said. 

Bowman said the friendly competitions were morale boosters. 

“We see these guys on the court, off the court, whether there is a fire or any emergency, where they assist us, where we assist them. So it’s always a blessing,” Bowman said. “These guys are our brothers. They may wear red, we wear blue, but we’re one big basketball family.”

Wendy was cheering on her son, FDNY firefighter Stefon Douglass.

“Look at that handsome one right there,” said Wendy, proudly pointing to a player wearing jersey number 10. “[The game] is all about having fun. It’s just for them to just kind of loosen up, relax and have fun with each other.”