The first performance of the San Angelo Rodeo opened with a tribute to San Angelo Police Sgt, Korby Kennedy who was killed in June 2015 in a motorcycle crash while on duty.
This is San Angelo, Texas, and when the words ‘officer down’ are heard over the radio, there is no cheering like there may be in other parts of the country, paraphrasing what Boyd Polhamus, the announcer for the San Angelo rodeo since about 1998, said.
[[{"fid":"18118","view_mode":"preview","type":"media","attributes":{"height":"800","width":"1200","class":"media-element file-preview imgbody"}}]]Above: San Angelo rodeo announcer Boyd Polhamus. (LIVE! Photo/Joe Hyde)
Polhamus entered the arena on horseback after a lively fireworks and laser light show. He started his introduction in a traditional way, but quickly turned the subject to “When you hear the words, ‘officer down...’
Sgt. Kennedy’s face appeared on the Jumbotron and the members of the San Angelo Police Traffic Division flanking Georgana Korby and her children were soon the only subjects of attention as a solo spotlight shined on them.
[[{"fid":"18115","view_mode":"preview","type":"media","attributes":{"height":"674","width":"1200","class":"media-element file-preview imgbody"}}]]Above: SAPD Traffic division officers Steven Quade, Brian Bylsma, and Korby Kennedy's family, including daughter Katie, widow Georgana and Korby's Jacki. To the far right, Emily, and Korby's niece are comforted by Sgt. Todd Dornhecker (LIVE! Photo/Joe Hyde)
Polhamus thanked the first responders, the ones who will risk their life to save any citizen, for their service.
On stage, next to Sgt. Todd Dornhecker, Chief of the Traffic Division, Sgt. Kennedy’s daughter and niece could be seen slightly sobbing as the tribute to their dad and uncle proceeded. It was a very touching moment for everyone in the audience and a reminder that we need to appreciate the officers who risk their lives everyday to serve and protect us.
Polhamus turned the audience’s attention to a bucking chute. There, K9 Police Officer Jeff Fisher, 29, who has experience riding bulls in his previous life, set ready to ride.
[[{"fid":"18119","view_mode":"preview","type":"media","attributes":{"height":"767","width":"1200","class":"media-element file-preview imgbody"}}]]Above: SAPD K9 Officer Jeff Fisher rides a bull.
Fisher didn’t make eight seconds, but the crowd loved it!
It was an emotional and fun opening to the 2016 San Angelo Rodeo. Nine more performances await San Angelo. The full schedule is here.
Highlights from the First Performance:
- Mason Clements of Sandy, Utah led the bareback riding with an 84.5-point ride. More here.
- Stan Branco from Chowchilla, California, with 4.0 seconds leads the steer wrestling.
- The team of Cole Sherwood of Sun Tan Valley, Arizona and Tanner Luttrell from Oroville, California, with 4.9 seconds, led the team roping.
- CoBurn Bradshaw from Beaver Utah got 79.5 points in the saddle bronc contest.
- Jake Pratt of Ellensburg, Washington, with 7.9 seconds, leads the tie down roping.
- In barrel racing, Kelsie Miller or Riley, Oregon, leads with 14.55 seconds.
- Cody Rostockyj of Lorena earned 80.5 points on Carr Pro Rodeo’s Razorback. He had the only qualified bull ride.
After the rodeo, hundreds flocked to the Social Club, also known as the beer barn between the carnival fairway and the coliseum, for a night of dancing with the Case Hardin Band.
Friday was just the beginning of the anticipated fun that will be happening from Feb. 5 through 20.
Zoey Hanrahan contributed to this report.
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