Oxford PD Brings Home Slew of Awards from LawFit Challenge

OPD officers were recognized recently for winning second place overall at the 17th Annual National LawFit Challenge.
Photo by Alyssa Schnugg

A team of five police officers from the Oxford Police Department were recognized recently by the Oxford Board of Aldermen for finishing second in a national fitness challenge.

Maj. Jeff McCutchen, Sgt. Ben Hamilton, Sgt. Joshua Shipp, Cpl. Zach Anderson and Officer Jeremiah Brown competed in the 17th Annual National LawFit Challenge in June and were awarded certificates of achievement by the Board of Aldermen for their outstanding efforts.
In November of 1989, Dr. David L. Bever, a professor of health education at George Mason University, developed the LawFit Program as a job-related fitness program for law enforcement personnel.
Police departments from across the nation compete annually in the Law Fit Challenge that consists of a maximum bench press, 1 minute timed sit-ups, flexibility test, pull-ups, a 1.5-mile run, and a 200-yard agility course – an obstacle course which simulates chasing a suspect.
Among the list of awards won by OPD were: second place four-man team, third place two-man team, fifth place two-man team, fourth and fifth place overall individuals, first and third place sit-ups, fourth place in 1.5 mile run, second and fifth place in sit-and-reach, third and fifth place in pull-ups, and the Rookie of the Year – Jeremiah Brown.
There were 130 competitors from all across the country.
“This was the second time that the Oxford Police Department has finished second in the national completion,” McCutchen said. “We are really proud of all the hard work that the guys put in going into the challenge. This is the fifth time the OPD four-man team has finished in the top five nationally.”
McCutchen credits OPD Chief Joey East for encouraging officers to stay fit.
“We would like to thank him and our sponsors – GNC Live Well Oxford, Nutrishop Oxford and Peak Specialist for giving us the time and resources to compete.”
Mayor Robyn Tannehill thanked the officers for their hard work and professionalism.
“Thank you for your commitment to be fit enough to protect us all and for your service,” she said last week. “We greatly appreciate you and your professionalism and the way you represent us – not just at LawFit but on the street, in our schools, in our churches, at (Oxford Park Commission) games and wherever your serve our community. We’re proud of you.”