A joint team comprised of officers from the North Vernon Police Department and Jennings County Sheriff’s Department represented the Jennings County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge at the annual Showdown of the Shields benefit competition March 5 in Columbus.

The competition was conducted at FairOaks Mall as a fundraising event with proceeds going toward the Special Olympics of Indiana.

This year’s Jennings County team finished in second place. Along with this placing, two members of the team claimed individual awards.

North Vernon Officer Miles Courtney finished in third place for individual overall repetitions, and Jennings County Officer Doug Brown claimed fourth place for individual repetitions.

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The team also finished second place in overall funds raised for the event.

The competition tests the participating officers’ strength and stamina with three timed lifting events — bench press, leg lifts and curls.

This year’s team included Courtney, Wes Thayer and Todd Beam with the North Vernon Police Department and Brown and Lt. Mike Mowery with the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department.