September 24, 2007

Pig Bowl aids Garland family
Annual event returns Saturday at 7 p.m. to Sid White Field

By KATHY GRAY
of The Chronicle


     A new gridiron rivalry takes shape at Pig Bowl 2007, as Oregon and Washington law enforcement go head to head to help the family of a fallen brother.
     Law officers will be battling across the line of scrimmage to benefit the family of the late Patrol Sergeant Peter Garland.
     The event takes place Saturday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m. at Wahtonka Football Field. Admission is $10 per family, $3 per individual.
     The customary adversary for the Oregon law officers over the past eight years has been Les Schwab Tires, but Washington law enforcement has stepped in for this special event honoring one of their own.
     “We had a meeting with Sheriff Rick McComas of the Klickitat County sheriff’s office along with Washington State Police and others,” said Oregon State Trooper Michael Holloran. “The State of Washington was so gung ho about the event that it just made sense to create a new rivalry, at least for this year, between Oregon and Washington in an effort to raise more money for the family.”
Despite Oregon’s home-field advantage, Holloran expects the sentimental favorite to be Washington.
     “Personally I’ll be surprised if the score isn’t 300 to nothing with Washington in the lead,” Holloran said, “but then again, Oregonians might surprise me and have some pride in their local law enforcement team to help keep the score close.”
     Play on the football field isn’t the only thing that will win teams points on the scoreboard. Fans for both teams may purchase a seven-point touchdown for their favorite during the first and fourth periods. Fans can also purchase points — and a pig noise on the public address system — during the second and third periods for $7 per point.
     Special events are also planned at half-time, including a visit from guest speaker Christian Bagge, a past Pig Bowl recipient, who will share his experiences.
     “The Survivor Game” is also planned, offering a chance to win a trip for two to Skamania Lodge for a one-night stay. Survivor packets, as well as game insurance, will be sold during the second quarter. Buy-in is $5 and insurance is also $5.
     All event proceeds benefit Garland’s family. He was killed July 18 in a head-on traffic crash with an out-of-control 20-year-old, who typified the youth that Garland had tried to get back on track in his three years the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Department DARE officer, Holloran said.
     His death leaves behind his wife of 17 years, Rocky, and two foster sons, Chris, 18, and Seth, 16. The Garlands had taken in many troubled youth over the years. The Garlands worked to change their lives from anger, turmoil, drugs and alcohol, to a life of faith and lawfulness.
     Garland also worked as a camp counselor with the Grace Brethren Church’s Camp Clear Lake for the last three years. Shortly prior to his death, he had been appointed as the Church’s youngest overseer.
     Sheriff Rick McComas, at Garland’s memorial service in the Goldendale High School gym, said Garland was his right arm and brought the sheriff’s department and the people of Klickitat County closer together by emphasizing that law enforcement personnel are public servants.