Law enforcement bonding
SUMMIT TWP — Police officers, prison guards, even a longtime retired policeman converged upon the Summit Township Sportsman’s Club for the Can-Am Games rifle competition on Thursday, July 18.
Twelve men took turns shooting targets 300 yards away.
But the competition seemed to take a back seat to the conversation.
Nate Farabaugh, of Ebensburg, a member of the seven-person Pennsylvania Department of Corrections team, also competed in the Can-Am Games in 2014.
“I love to compete and it was in York that year, so it was close,” Farabaugh said. “It was a great experience. People came from all over the United States and Canada, Bonds of friendship were formed there.
“When I saw this year’s event was here and we were bringing a team, I was definitely going to be part of it.”
Roaring Springs resident Shane Weyant said The state Department of Corrections has a competitive team of approximately 25 members from all over the state. All 25 do not do every competition.
“Whoever can make it and wants to come, that’s who we bring,” Weyant said. “We’ve had a team for several years now. You can always learn new things from events like this and we like to see how our skills stack up.”
The team entered a sniper competition in Moundsville, W.Va., a few years back and had shooters place first, second and third in two consecutive years there.
“We get to check out the training techniques from other places, what their tactics are. You can pick up things here and there,” Weyant said.
Shaun Snow, who took a bronze medal in pistol shooting at the 2022 Can-Am Games, made the trip down from Ontario to compete in rifle on Thursday.
“I’ve been a police officer for 20 years and (Butler) wasn’t that far away,” Snow said. “This is well worth the trip. I love the concept of this whole thing.”
Frank Huffman, of West Deer Township, has been a retired police officer for eight years. He served on the force for 29.
He’s been to numerous shooting competitions over the years, including Millvale, Clairton, Camp Perry, Clearfield, Malvern (Ohio) and West Virginia.
“I won numerous medals in the Pa. Police Olympics,” Huffman said. “These games gave me another opportunity to compete and talk with other offices. I miss the people I work with. Since I’ve been off the job, I’ve felt isolated. At times, I feel lost.
“But I don’t miss what’s going on in this world today. I don’t miss that at all.”
The shooters competed in two disciplines. Gold medal winners were Snow and Farabaugh. Sean Murphy, of Mars, and Hunter Smitchko, of Snowshoe, won silver, Weyant and Mike Just, of Ontario, was awarded bronze.
