Cops, firefighters take to ice to support Aurora boxing club

While pro hockey players have been known to drop the gloves and duke it out from time to time, a charity hockey game pitting Aurora-area police officers against firefighters will give fighting a different focus on Saturday, April 12, when the first responders raise money for the Jesse "The Law" Torres Boxing Club.

In an event sponsored by the National Latino Peace Officers Association Aurora Chapter, the Police vs. Fire game will culminate an afternoon of hockey that also features a junior varsity high school match and another that pits "squirt" teams made up of 9- and 10-year-olds.

The first puck drops at 2 p.m. at Fox Valley Ice Arena, 1996 S. Kirk Road, Geneva.

Proceeds will go toward equipment for the boxing club's new gymnasium, which is slated to open later this year. The club is run by retired Aurora police officer and former professional boxer Jesse "The Law" Torres.

The new facility, which was donated by the Fox Valley Park District, will be adjacent the gym's current location at Copley II Park, 517 N. Union St., Aurora.

Since the club was established in 1998, Torres has provided hundreds of young Aurorans a safe haven from gangs and drugs through the nonprofit club while teaching them discipline, respect and physical conditioning through the sport of boxing.

"Jesse's boxing club has made a real difference in the lives of so many youngsters which, in turn, has positively affected the entire Aurora community," said Sgt. Alfredo Dean, president of the Aurora chapter of the NLPOA. "He has also been instrumental in helping our organization with our annual boxing fundraisers, which go toward scholarships for Aurora's youth.

"It feels good giving back to such a dedicated role model in our community," Dean added.

General admission is $10 for adult tickets purchased in advance and $5 for children 12 and younger. A $5 fee will be added to general admission tickets purchased at the door.

Reserved seating for all ages is $15 and can be purchased through ticketriver.com and entering NLPOA in the search box on the homepage. Skybox seating and sponsorship opportunities also are available.

The NLPOA also is looking for items to raffle off throughout the day. Businesses and organizations interested in donating can call Aurora police investigator Memo Trujillo at (630) 664-7750 or email nlpoaaurorachapter@yahoo.com.

Information on Jesse "The Law" Torres Boxing Club can be found at jessethelawboxing.org.

The National Latino Peace Officers Association is the largest Latino law enforcement organization in the United States, with local chapters in many cities throughout the country. Its membership includes chiefs of police, sheriffs, police officers, parole agents and federal officers, all of whom are employed at the local, state or federal levels. Its mission is "Honoring family, education and community through service and membership."

The NLPOA Aurora Chapter is the first local chapter in Illinois. One of the chapter's goals is to recruit Latinos into the law enforcement profession and to educate the Latino community that law enforcement can be trusted and is a vital resource on which they can depend.