VIDEO: Civilians, Tybee cops square off on the court

Trading their typical weapons for rubber playground balls, Tybee Island police officers Tuesday afternoon challenged citizens to a dodgeball tournament.

Despite a strong showing from about 10 of the island's officers, the day eventually belonged to teams from a pair of Tybee eateries, as Huc-A-Poo's Tybee Vipers squad downed North Beach Grill's team for the Beat the Heat Dodgeball Tournament championship and the $500 grand prize.

The event, organized by Tybee resident Taylor Todd served as a fundraiser for Surfers for Autism, an annual event scheduled to be held on the island Sept. 7.

"I thought a dodgeball tournament would be fun for everyone, you know, and I like being involved in the community, so I thought we could make it into a good fundraiser," Todd said. "Surfers for Autism is amazing - you get hundreds of surfers out here and they just interact with and teach kids with autism. It's really moving."

Tybee police chief Bob Bryson said he was happy to help Todd organize the event.

"It's just a fun way for everyone to interact and have a good afternoon," Bryson said. "So, we were happy to do our part and make sure everything got set up and come out today and have a lot of fun."

It proved to be a somewhat unusual kind of event for most of the participants, who'd never had the opportunity to legally throw an object at a police officer.

"It was pretty rewarding - oddly rewarding," Huc-A-Poo's owner Eric Thomas said of throwing a dodgeball at Tybee's finest. "It was nice to see some of those guys go down for once.

"Really, it's just about coming out and having a good time."

Even the police officers agreed.

Playing in his uniform, police Sgt. Charles Powers, said he and his teammates were probably more heavily targeted in their matches than opponents in other games.

"Everyone wants to play the cops," Powers said. "They get a chance to go toe-to-toe with a cop, but it's all in good fun, and it's for a great cause."