Palm Springs police and firefighters play annual softball game in memory of Officer Zerebny
Palm Springs police and firefighters went to bat on Sunday for the second annual Lesley Zerebny memorial softball game. The gate itself was at big league dreams sports park in Cathedral City. All ticket and raffle sales benefitted the Palm Springs police officer’s and firefighter’s memorial funds.
Officer Zerebny was tragically shot and killed alongside fellow officer Jose Gil Vega two years ago. Officer Vega’s family threw the first pitch of the game.
Both teams embraced after the national anthem was sung. “This means a whole lot to the fire department also. We also lost some great individuals on October 8th. Originally this started prior to the murders of those two, as just a friendly game of softball against the police department and fire department…but it’s turned into so much more than that,” said Jeff van Lierop, A PSFD team member.
Players on both sides said they remember playing softball with Zerebny — and just how much she loved this annual game.
“I think it’s good for all of us. As a way to memorialize her and obviously officer vega as well. But this was something specifically that she enjoyed and she was a part of this team. So it’s good for us because we get to come out here and it’s something that we all enjoy. It’s a fun event but hopefully it’s something that will go on in perpetuity and keep her memory alive,” said Chris Jaeger, a PSPD team member and an organizer of the event.
“I have a picture of the two of us — not just me and Lesley but the police department and fire department next to each other. And it just so happens that I’m right next to her in the picture and I look at that picture every time I come out here…before that game. And it just means so much more,” said van Lierop.
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