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Ariz. cop on life support after charity boxing match
By Michael Ferraresi and Lindsey Collom
The Arizona Republic
PHOENIX — A 22-year-old Phoenix police officer who collapsed after boxing a firefighter during a charity bout at Fort McDowell Casino has died.
Officer Barry Scott passed away Tuesday afternoon at an undisclosed hospital. He leaves behind a wife and infant child.
Scott, who joined Phoenix police in 2007, was off-duty and participating in one of four weight class showcases at an event Friday to raise money for the 100 Club of Arizona. The non-profit organization raises money to support the families of officers and firefighters killed or seriously injured in the line of duty.
“Barry will be greatly missed by all,” Sgt. Andy Hill said in a written statement. “His family thanks the media and community for your thoughts and prayers.”
Scott was taken to an area hospital after a referee stopped his fight against a Chandler firefighter during the event titled “Guns & Hoses,” which a local promoter billed as an exhibition of “Valley’s toughest firemen and police officers.”
Hill said Scott “went into distress and passed out” after his fight, though it was unclear what caused the trauma. He spent his final days in critical condition.
Scott, an officer in the Maryvale Precinct, joined Phoenix Police after returning from an 18-month tour of Iraq with the Army National Guard.
Len Hayko of FelKO Promotions, who organized the Guns & Hoses event, did not return calls for comment.
Hayko organizes other “Bad Boy Boxing” amateur competitions at Fort McDowell Casino. Friday’s event was the casino’s first event featuring law enforcement personnel.
A portion of the Friday event’s proceeds from $20-$80 tickets will be donated to the 100 Club, an organization devoted to providing financial aid to the families of fallen officers and firefighters.
The 100 Club of Arizona released a statement Monday in support of the Scott family.
“Officer Scott is a hero,” the statement said. “He has defended our country, our city streets and given much to the community. When a young family is faced with tragedy, it is always heart-breaking and gut-wrenching.”
Spectators at the event said Scott’s fight went a few rounds before the referee checked the fighters and called it. Other fights, with some of the most physically-fit law enforcement personnel in the Valley, were also called prematurely.
“The refs were very conscious of what was going on,” said Chandler Fire Battalion Chief Dan Couch, who attended the event.
“They all had headgear,” Couch said. “They all had gear around their waists. They all had mouthpieces. I didn’t see anyone hurt any worse than anyone else.”
Copyright 2008 The Arizona Republic