If you're on Facebook, lip syncing law enforcement have probably taken over your news feed this past month.
Highly entertaining and sometimes moving, the videos have gained viral popularity. The boys in blue at the Lake Ozark Police Department joined in the fun in July, throwing down the gauntlet with an impressive rendition of Taylor Swift's "Love Story."
Was the use of Taylor Swift a subtle nod to a Dover Police Officer whose Dash Cam famously captured him rocking out to Swift's "Shake It Off?" That's unknown, but Lake Ozark officers did continue the challenge, daring the Miller County Sheriff's Department to step up and show off their skills. In case you missed it, they responded with this:
Miller County Sheriff's Department honored the memory of fallen officer Casey Shoemate, who died in a car crash while responding to an emergency. Shoemate even makes his own touching lip sync debut at the end of the video, continuing the emotional message that underlies the entire lip sync battle – these officers and first responders put their lives on the line each day when they go to work.
Casey Lee Shoemate, 26 years old, was called to live with Jesus on the 20th day of April, 20…
OSAGE BEACH, Mo. — Hundreds of law enforcement vehicles led a somber procession on Wednesday…
Law Enforcement Funeral Procession At Miller County Deputy Casey Shoemate's Funeral
photos by Nathan Bechtold/LakeExpo.com
The Camden County Sheriff's Office responded with a hilarious dive into the Camden County Detectives' office and the crazy shenanigans that happen around Camden County, before passing the baton off to the Osage Beach Police Department.
The women and men of the Osage Beach Police Department responded with a video that truly encapsulates what we love about Lake Life.
And now that the Osage Beach Police Department has challenged the Camdenton Police Department, we all wait eagerly to see what they come up with.
History of the Lip Sync Challenge
One month into the phenomenon, it's difficult to determine just who started the lip sync challenge. The latest round of viral videos that began in late June seems to have started with Deputy Mena of the Bexar County Sheriff's Office in Texas. In an interview with KENS 5, from San Antonio, the officer talked about how he frequently recorded his own videos for fun, sharing them with friends. But when he sent a lip syncing video to his Sergeant, it went viral with a lot of fans wanting to know his marital status and asking for the hashtag #MoreMena.
While Deputy Mena certainly adds flair to the lip syncing, cops have been doing this for years. Many of us think their work is action-packed like a movie, but the truth is the days of a police officer, or any first responder, can consist of boring moments, punctuated sporadically with intense drama. That means time in a patrol car to sing to yourself!
Even the idea of one department challenging another in a friendly battle isn't new. In 2016 there was a lip sync challenge between Minnesota law enforcement that even involved zoo animals beginning with the Apple Valley Police Department.
Dakota County Sheriff's Office response raises the bar on lip sync challenges, adding a skydiver!
One dynamic police duo even made a lip sync video as early as 2014.
Some departments have taken the opportunity to make a statement with a very important message about the issues in their communities.
Other videos are just plain fun and get the entire community involved.
And some videos have gotten the attention of single men and women around the country, with dozens of people making humorous "confessions" of their law-breaking, just for an opportunity to meet the stars of the videos.
