Chief Deputy Michael Gauger and Fire Rescue Chief square off in fight against breast cancer

Palm Beach County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Mike Gauger has raised the ante against Fire Rescue Chief Steve Jerauld for their fund-raising challenge this year: whoever scores the most funds gets to be the head of the opposing agency for a day.

It's a challenge that popped into Gauger's head as he attended the 2nd Annual "PBSO Green Goes Pink" Celebrity Waiter event held at the Gun Club Cafe in suburban West Palm Beach this morning to raise money for the fight against breast cancer. Uniformed deputies, along with the cafe's staff, donated their time to serve those who stopped by for breakfast.

"Whatever we can do to help raise funds to find a cure is our responsibility," said Gauger. "It's such a debilitating disease that has touched so many of us."
Meanwhile, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue will host a breakfast of their own at Butterfield's in Royal Palm Beach from 8 - 11 a.m. on Tuesday.

But the pink doesn't stop there.

Both agencies will hold a series of fundraising events throughout October to help fight breast cancer. They'll also be competing for bragging rights.

Fire Rescue Chief Steve Jerauld said on Thursday that he'll accept Gauger's challenge, but warned him that he won't get a chance to sit in his chair.

"It's great to have friendly competition that results in a good cause," Jerauld said. "I welcome that kind of challenge."

But Gauger wasn't too sure Jerauld would get too far. He said last year the sheriff's office fundraiser "crushed" fire rescue's.

If his agency wins this year, Jerauld said he'd consider donning a pink outfit like Gauger did last year when the sheriff's office won.

"I'm not afraid to wear pink," Jerauld said. "So bring it on."

Chief Deputy Michael E. Gauger, MSW serves as the Senior Executive Staff Officer for the Department of Law Enforcement Operations and Corrections. As Chief Deputy he is responsible for an annual budget of $292 million, with a staff composition of 1,563 sworn and 1,734 non-sworn personnel; and, a Corrections' budget of $136 million, with a staff of 710 sworn personnel.

Chief Deputy Gauger is a distinguished honor graduate of Barry University, with a Master in Social Work. Additionally, he is a graduate of the 81st Session, Southern Police Institute, University of Louisville, Kentucky, Administrative Officer's Course, as well as, a 1996 Alumni, Leadership Palm Beach County.

Chief Deputy Gauger is an active member of many philanthropic, fraternal, and community-based organizations. He has earned many prestigious awards over a distinguished 39 year career, including a recent Special Citation for Meritorious Service, from the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, in Washington, D.C.

Chief Deputy Gauger is an adjunct professor and guest lecturer on community and problem-solving based policing and ethics and integrity. He is married to the former Ms. Phyllis Everett and has two children.

3228 Gun Club Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
(561) 688-3000

This release was published on openPR.