Police vs Fire “Battle of the Badges” Returns May 3 at Mount Vernon Ice Arena
Fairfax County Police and Fire face off May 3 in a high-energy ice hockey game supporting cancer awareness and fallen officers
MOUNT VERNON, VA – This Sunday, May 3 at 3 p.m., the ice at Mount Vernon Ice Arena will heat up as Fairfax County Police and Fire & Rescue go head-to-head in the 5th Annual “Battle of the Badges” hockey game—an event that has become a powerful show of unity, remembrance, and community support.
Backed this year by Inova Schar Cancer Institute, the game benefits two deeply personal causes: the Firefighter Cancer Support Network and the Officer Down Memorial Page. Both organizations serve those who spend their lives protecting others—offering support to families and honoring those lost in the line of duty or to occupational illness.
And this year, that mission hits especially close to home.
Firefighters will take the ice wearing custom jerseys honoring colleagues lost to cancer—a sobering reminder of the risks first responders face long after the sirens fade. In a moving tribute, those jerseys will be presented to the families following the game.
Inova’s involvement goes beyond sponsorship. The Inova Saville Cancer Screening and Prevention Center has been working directly with local firefighters on a screening and early detection study aimed at better understanding cancer risks tied to the profession—an issue gaining increasing national attention.
“This is more than a game,” organizers emphasize. “It’s about standing behind the people who show up for us every day.”
The event is designed to bring the entire community together—families, first responders, and neighbors—for an afternoon that blends fun with purpose. Admission is donation-based, and attendees can expect raffle items and plenty of on-ice action as the friendly (but fierce) rivalry plays out.
The venue itself, Mount Vernon Ice Arena (2017 Belle View Blvd.), is one of the region’s premier skating facilities, featuring two NHL-size rinks, full locker room amenities, and space for community events—making it a fitting home for a game that’s grown in both size and significance over the past five years.
Whether you come for the hockey or the cause, this is one of those Alexandria-area events where showing up matters.
Game Details
What: 5th Annual Battle of the Badges (Police vs. Fire Hockey Game)
When: Sunday, May 3 at 3 p.m.
Where: Mount Vernon Ice Arena, 2017 Belle View Blvd., Alexandria
Admission: Donation-based
