SCOTT COUNTY – It was a packed house at Royal Springs Middle School Saturday night. And it was all for two people; Levi Delimpo and Deputy Jaime Morales.
“I have no words, it’s just amazing,” said Morales.
The crowd came out to cheer on the Scott County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgetown Police Department in the “Battle of the Badge,” a charity basketball game.
“To see the community file in here today, it’s really really neat. It reminds you what America is all about.”
The tournament this year is raising money for Deputy Morales as he continues to recover after an injury left him in a wheelchair. Morales was shot in the line of duty while responding to a call about a suspected bank robber.
“It’s really cool that I get to support Jaime,” says Levi Delimpo.
Last year the tournament was for Levi, as he battled cancer. His dad says it was a very different experience.
“He was receiving chemo and he was very sick. It’s just so neat to see him walking around and jump with his
friends and play.”
Now in remission, 11-year-old Levi wants that same support for Morales. And if you ask them, they’ll tell you they have a lot in common.
“The doctors have told us stuff that we wouldn’t be able to do, and we’ve pushed through it,” said Delimpo.
“We can fight this thing together, both of us, although our situations are very different. I think we could definitely help each other.”
Both say they’re inspired by the strength of the other.
