The 10th Annual Battle of the Badges Event was held on Sat., Oct. 15, at the Community Park in Cedar Grove.

More than 300 people attended to watch the competitive softball game featuring 11 teams from West Essex PBA, Verona PBA, Essex County Sheriff’s Office, and a non-profit charity group Brothers Before Others.
During the event, $8,842 was raised. Cedar Grove Police defeated Verona Police in finals.

The Battle of the Badges is held every year to raise money for someone in need and to foster a community relationship. More than $20,000 has been raised from the charity event during the last ten years.
Proceeds from this year’s event were earmarked to offset the costs of a service dog to help 16 year old Matthew Ribaudo of Cedar Grove who is living with Autism Spectrum Disorder, says Sgt. Jose Rodriguez of the Cedar Grove Police Dept. and organizer of the event.
Joseph Ribaudo is a former Cedar Grove Police Officer who retired in 2010 after serving in the department for 25 years, says Rodriguez.