SPARTA, KY (FOX19)- Officers from eight regional law enforcement agencies are competing for a ride in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts pace car by testing their stock car racing skills in Richard Petty Driving Experience (RPDE) cars during the first Top Cop Challenge at Kentucky Speedway.

Officers representing the City of Cincinnati, Butler Co., Ohio, Hamilton Co., Ohio, City of Florence, Ky., City of Lexington, Ky., Gallatin Co., Ky., Oldham Co. Ky., and the Kentucky State Police will open the Top Cop Challenge with a two-officer team competition that will ultimately determine three officers who will have the chance to become Top Cop. 

BUTLER COUNTY, OH (FOX19) - Law enforcement officers throughout Butler County are honoring their own as a part of National Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Presidential Orders dating back to 1962 declared May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day.

“This week (National Police Week), and specifically today, is a time for all of us to stop and remember all the brave men and women Peace Officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to communities throughout Butler County, the State of Ohio, and the nation,” said Sheriff Richard Jones.  “Paying this small tribute to them is the very least we can do to show our respect for all that they gave.”

A wreath and flowers have been placed at the Sheriff’s Office Police Officers Memorial at the Jail and Operational Headquarters building on Hanover Street, Hamilton, and flags have been lowered to half-staff, in honor of all fallen Peace Officers.

HAMILTON, OH (FOX19)- A Hamilton building is being called a total loss following a fire on Hamilton's East side.

Fire units were dispatched to the 400 block of South 4th Street on Saturday night around 12:15 a.m.

Upon arrival, crews found a two-story wood-framed apartment structure on fire. The fire had already caused a partial collapse of the roof.  Flames had consumed more than half of the building's first and second floors.

With the exception of one medic unit, the entire department's operating fire units were on the scene. Fire fighters were on the scene for over four hours.

Prior to the fire, the vacant building, owned by the City of Hamilton, was listed on the department's "Do Not Enter" list for hazardous structures.

Damage to the building has been estimated at $13,090. No injuries were reported. 

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