By Danielle Davies
When current Atlantic County Sheriff Eric Scheffler was still a police officer with the Atlantic City Police Department, he had hopes that Atlantic County would resume shooting competitions that used to be held at the county’s former range in Atlantic City. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen — for about 30 years. It took until Scheffler became Atlantic County Sheriff himself to reintroduce a shooting competition designed specifically for law enforcement with the first inaugural Sheriff’s Cup, held in 2021.
Now in its third year, the event, held Oct. 16 at Atlantic County Firing Range, has grown in popularity and participation, attracting vendors, law enforcement participants from 14 different Atlantic County police agencies, and a level of camaraderie and friendship that isn’t always available to the men and women working on the front lines.
“Getting together like this? We don’t do this enough,” says Sgt. Craig Clayton from the Hamilton Township Police Department. “It’s fun, it’s good competition, and it couldn’t be a better day.”
While the Sheriff’s Cup is ultimately a competition, the social aspect of the event takes precedence, with officers connecting — and reconnecting — with colleagues new and old. This year’s event also honored Retired Galloway Police Captain Gary Jones. Jones, who passed away in July from cancer, played a pivotal role in the Second Annual Sheriff’s Cup after participating in year one.
“Captain Jones was an integral part of this event,” says Sheriff Eric Scheffler. “And as a competitive shooter, he was a big fan of Steel Competitions, which utilize steel plates as targets. Traditionally, the Sheriff’s Cup included hand gun, shot gun, and patrol rifle contests. This year, in Captain Jones’s honor, the entire competition features steel plates, and in the future, we’ll include one steel plate challenge in the competition as a lasting tribute to him.”
“I think he liked the steel because it was more difficult,” says Abby Jones of her late husband. “Over the years he bought many steel targets. He would shoot with his friends every Sunday and bring it out. He would also design the stages that they would do. He just loved shooting and helping others with their shooting struggles.”
Steel plate competitions are known for being particularly challenging. Each participant has to hit all five steel plate targets as quickly — and precisely — as possible, with penalties given for missed plates. And unlike competitions with paper bulls-eyes or bowling pin targets, the steel plates provide a distinctive ding, letting shooters know when they’ve hit their mark. And when they haven’t.
“It’s alphabetical order, so I was the first shooter,” says Somers Point Police Officer Mark Azagra. “It’s challenging, especially if you’re not used to shooting steel and hearing audible feedback…I’m not much of a competitor until this event because I like to be out here with everybody from different departments. It’s fun to just interact. It’s a morale booster.”
And while it’s fun for everyone, only a few participants go home as winners. This year, individual top shots went to Dean Adam from the Atlantic City Justice Facility (3rd); Josh Schwenger from Atlantic City Police Department (2nd); and Rodney Logan from New Jersey State Police (1st). Additionally, the Atlantic County Police Department team placed third; Brigantine Police Department placed second; and the New Jersey State Police took home the coveted Sheriff’s Cup for a first place win.
“We’re proud to continue to host the Annual Sheriff’s Cup and bring the local law enforcement community together for a day of skill, camaraderie, and remembrance,” says Scheffler. “It’s really become a hallmark event.”
