Page 42 - December 2019 FOP Magazine

No power outage for world champion CPD lifter
n BY DAN CAMPANA
Officer Tommy Harrison Jr. keeps racking the bar and racking up major accomplishments as a world champion powerlifter.
Harrison, who is assigned to Midway Airport, ran his med- al total at the World Bench Press and Deadlift Championships to 49 after another strong showing during the November com- petition in Las Vegas. Among his five victories, he recorded a winning deadlift of 606.2 pounds and a bench press of 633.7 pounds.
“I felt like I did exceptional winning five different categories with numbers I used to play with,” the 46-year-old Harrison said. “After the 633-pound bench press, I felt pain from prior forearm injuries, but managed to still come up with the win.”
Harrison, who benched 865 in his “prime,” said he’s learning more about muscle recovery, something that becomes more important as the years progress. Harrison’s two decades of ded- ication and world records landed him in the World Association of Benchers and Deadlifters Hall of Fame, so he knows his stuff.
“The older you get, it seems to take longer to recover,” he ex- plained.
But Harrison is nowhere near fading — he’s still making a mark.
“Earlier this year, in September, I won my very first Olympia, which was a highlight in my career,” Harrison proudly shared.
Check out his Facebook page, and you’ll see that Harrison loves to share photos and showcase his teammates, who also won big in Vegas. It’s clear he’s as driven as ever to compete and bolster those around him.
How does he do it?
“What keeps me motivated is unwanted stress. And, this year, the passing of a close friend of mine [Lieutenant James Crawford] gave me unbelievable motivation. He was also a teammate of mine,” Harrison said. “I presented his wife with a medal that I won.”
Through it all, Harrison — who appears in his CPD sweat-
Chicago Police Officer Tommy Harrison Jr. won five more medals at the World Bench Press and Deadlift Championships
in November to bring his total career medal count to 49.
pants in some photos — is thankful for the support of the po- lice family.
“I’m forever grateful for the sponsorship of FOP Lodge 7,” he said.
Enforcers grab the flag, tournament title for charity
Proving once again that there’s no such thing as an offseason in football — and no bad way to raise money for a good cause — the CPD Enforcers braved a chilly, rainy October Saturday to win the Tim Jones Flag Football Fundraiser tournament.
Played at Tinley Park High School, the Enforcers emerged as champs from a field of more than a dozen teams squar- ing off in seven-on-seven games. The big- gest winner was the fundraising effort for Park Forest Police Officer Tim Jones, who was shot and severely wounded while on duty in 2015. The money collected will go to help with Jones’ recovery efforts.
42 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ DECEMBER 2019