- February 19, 2025
Ormond Beach Police Department Capt. Chris Roos and Sammy Hogue laugh after attempting to stop a runner from scoring. Photo by Michele Meyers
Volusia County Beach Safety Captain Mike Berard answers questions at the Back the Blue event. Photo by Michele Meyers
Riverbend Academy preschoolers Judah Michels, Keith Desmedt and Roman Cellis ask the Ormond Beach Community Service Officer Allison Davis questions about working with animals. Photo by Michele Meyers
Riverbend preschooler Sage Anthony asks Ormond Beach Community Service Officers Allison Davis about her job as Jaxon Spiecher, Grace Smith and Magnolia Herring listen during the Back the Blue event. Photo by Michele Meyers
"It's important for them to know how to interact with animals," Ormond Beach Community Service Officer Allison Davis said. "I love that phrase that everything can bite." Photo by Michele Meyers
Allison Davis and Alex Ocasio are Ormond Beach Community Officers because they love working with animals and the community. Photo by Michele Meyers
Volusia Sheriff Bomb Squad officer, Detective Jerome Childers, puts on the bomb suit helmet per students' requests at the Back the Blue event. Photo by Michele Meyers
Volusia Sheriff Bomb Squad officer, Detective Jerome Childers, puts on the bomb suit helmet per students' requests at the Back the Blue event. Photo by Michele Meyers
The Volusia Sheriff Bomb Squad's robot works like a remote control car complete with articulators that help it maneuver up and down stairs. Photo by Michele Meyers
Deputy Jason Lewis shows Riverbend Academy students the inside of the VSO's SWAT team's armored vehicle at Back the Blue. Photo by Michele Meyers
Riverbend Academy kindergarten teacher Amy Knaebel helps Remy Zaniewski and River Stemmle out of the SWAT armored truck at Back the Blue. Photo by Michele Meyers
Riverbend Academy kindergarteners Charlie Collins and Olivia Shelly check out the SWAT armored truck at Back the Blue. Photo by Michele Meyers
Riverbend Academy kindergarten teacher Amy Knaebel helps Khloe DeSimone out of the SWAT armored truck at Back the Blue. Photo by Michele Meyers
Riverbend Academy kindergartener Jaxson Clark peeks out of the SWAT armored truck at the Back the Blue event. Photo by Michele Meyers
Deputy Jason Lewis talks to Riverbend Academy students about his duties and the equipment the SWAT team uses to help keep the community safe. Photo by Michele Meyers
Lillian Michels beams as she walks out of the SWAT vehicle at Riverbend Academy's Back the Blue event. Photo by Michele Meyers
Riverbend Academy kindergartener Keilei Renick poses on the SWAT armored truck. Photo by Michele Meyers
Riverbend Academy kindergartener Kennedy Harris on the platform in the SWAT armored truck. Photo by Michele Meyers
Thomas Renick pokes his head out of the hatch on top of the SWAT team's armored vehicle. He wants to be a lifeguard like his grandfather. Photo by Michele Meyers
Riverbend Academy kindergarteners pose in front of the SWAT armored vehicle at the Back the Blue event. Photo by Michele Meyers
"Have you ever seen a megalodon or colossal squid," Isabella Stoverink asked Volusia County Beach Safety Captain Mike Berard. Photo by Michele Meyers
Volusia County Beach Safety Captain Mike Berard talks to Riverbend Academy students about what his job entails. Photo by Michele Meyers
Siblings Rebecca and Lucas Ray's favorite part of the Back the Blue event is the armored truck. Photo by Michele Meyers
Volusia County Bomb Squad officer, Deputy Randy Carlson, tells the students on the count of three to yell "fire in the hole" before he detonates the explosives at Back the Blue. Photo by Michele Meyers
The Volusia County Bomb Squad officers, Deputy Randy Carlson and Detective Jerome Childers, walk out to the tree line at Riverbend Academy after detonating explosives at the Back the Blue event. Photo by Michele Meyers
Friends Leo Tuttolomondo and Levi Johnson are excited by the explosion the VSO Bomb Squad sets off during the Back the Blue event. Photo by Michele Meyers
Riverbend Warrior Morgan Corder makes a phenomenal catch during the Back the Blue kickball game. Photo by Michele Meyers
Benjamin Glenfield is safe on third as Anthony Ferrigno makes a valiant effort to tag him out during the Back the Blue kickball game. Photo by Michele Meyers
Riverbend Academy students get a little antsy as they wait for their turn to kick during the Back the Blue kickball game. Photo by Michele Meyers
Calvin Randle crosses home base for an OBPD run as Anthony Ferrigno celebrates. Photo by Michele Meyers
Police Chief Jesse Godfrey catches a fly ball as Sergeant Michael Garner raises a number one during the Back the Blue kickball game. Photo by Michele Meyers
Police Chief Jesse Godfrey catches a fly ball as Sergeant Michael Garner raises a number one during the Back the Blue kickball game. Photo by Michele Meyers
Anthiny Ferrigno tags MVP Gabe Hull out at second after kicking in two runs for the Riverbend Warriors at the Back the Blue kickball game. Photo by Michele Meyers
Riverbend Warrior Nolan Caliendo and Corporal Carlos Ortiz go up for the catch as a runner sneaks to second base during the Back the Blue kickball game. Photo by Michele Meyers
Warrior Xzavier Martinez jogs in after catching the third out for his team at the Back the Blue kickball game. Photo by Michele Meyers
Ormond Beach Chief of Police Jesse Godfrey slaps some skin with Detective Sergeant John Dovine during the Back the Blue kickball game. Photo by Michele Meyers
First baseman Corporal Carlos Ortiz goes for the out during the Back the Blue kickball game but tie goes to the runner this time. Photo by Michele Meyers
Riverbend student Nolan Caliendo sprints to first base as a Warrior tries to grab the ball and a hopeful out during the Back the Blue kickball game. Photo by Michele Meyers
Micah Karr kicks the ball and loses a shoe during his first kick of the Back the Blue kickball game. Photo by Michele Meyers
“I admire my fans and tried my best,” Tyler Deets said. “I used my strengths to help us get two points.” Photo by Michele Meyers
Team Blue poses after their 7-2 win in the kickball game against Riverbend Academy at the Back the Blue event. Photo by Michele Meyers
Riverbend Academy students and the Ormond Beach Police Department offers pose after playing the Back the Blue event kickball game. Photo by Michele Meyers
This was the first year for The Cornerstone on air co-hosts Christina Hutchinson and Brandon Schmidt participated in the Back the Blue eventOrmond . Photo by Michele Meyers
Riverbend Academy students Rebecca Ray (left, front) and Briar Knight (right) scramble after the frisbees The Cornerstone host Brandon Schmidt threw. Photo by Michele Meyers
Riverbend Academy Headmaster Jason Karr thanks law enforcement and rescue officers for their services at the Back the Blue event. Photo by Michele Meyers
Friday started with early morning rain and continued with ominous clouds. That did not dampen the excitement at the Riverbend Academy parking lot, or halt the convoy of community service vehicles from rolling in. It was time for the annual Back the Blue event, held Jan. 13.
Kelly Malone has been a teacher for eight years, with three of them teaching fourth grade at Riverbend.
“The children always love this event,” she said. “It’s really nice to see the community come together and support law enforcement. It gives the children a hands-on look at what we are going to see in town. It’s interesting to see all the intricate details of the different branches.”
The Ormond Beach Police Department, Volusia Sheriff’s Office, Volusia County Beach Safety and Fire Rescue participated, talking to the students about what their jobs entail, the equipment they use and interesting experiences they have had on the job.
Children gathered behind the SWAT armored vehicle as Deputy Jason Lewis described how deputies use it to protect themselves from potential danger, and, more recently, to transport patients to the hospital during hurricanes.
“I can’t believe these huge guys fit on those small little seats,” Thomas Renick said about the armored vehicle. “It’s exciting, but I think I want to do the lifeguarding.”
“I can’t believe these huge guys fit on those small little seats. It’s exciting but I think I want to do the lifeguarding.”
THOMAS RENICK, Riverbend Academy student said about the armored vehicle
VSO detective and bomb squad officer Jerome Childers explained how the bomb suit and job-specific tools are used. He used a remote control to demonstrate one of the bomb squad’s most unique tools — the robot. It is rigged with four different cameras and built with articulators that allow for maneuverability up and down stairs.
“The bomb squad at the Volusia Sheriff’s Office is a collateral position, meaning you have other duties,” he said. “My primary duty is I’m a detective, so I investigate certain crimes, and my other duty is bomb squad. I’m on call 24/7.”
New to the festivities this year were radio station WJLU — The Cornerstone on-air co-hosts Christina Hutchinson and Brandon Schmidt. Former co-host Chris Johnson, who is currently employed at Riverbend, reached out to Schmidt about the event. It was the perfect opportunity for Cornerstone to be out in the community.
“That’s what Cornerstone is all about,” Schmidt said. “We want to be a friendship in the community with local businesses and local churches. We want to promote the gospel.”
The highlight of the event was the rivalry kickball game between OBPD’s Team Blue and the Riverbend Warriors. This year, Blue monopolized the game and finished 7-2 for the win.
Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey joked about his team’s success.
“Well, it’s the same strategy we use every year,” he laughed. “Of course, we’re the champions four years in a row. We break hearts and crush dreams. That’s our motto. But seriously, it was a great game. The weather really wasn’t cooperating, but there were no injuries and everybody did well. We are just very happy and blessed to be out here sharing this great thing with Riverbend Academy.”
