Bandit Joins San Diego Police Officers at
3rd Annual Gerald Griffin Memorial Ride
 

San Diego, CA – On April 15, 2003, Motor Officer Gerald (Jerry) K. Griffin, a 16 year veteran of the San Diego Police Department was struck by a vehicle in the Pacific Beach area of the city, while conducting speed enforcement operations. Jerry died 11 days later on April 25th making him the first San Diego Police Officer to be killed in the line of duty in over 11 years.

During Jerry's life, he spent many of his on and off-duty hours volunteering his time with two children's groups. Jerry would visit the San Diego Children's Hospital Cancer Care Center. Jerry, along with his motor partner, would attend the ̉Race for Champions,Ó a day-out event for the children from the Hospital, held on the waterfront. Jerry would allow the children to sit on his police motorcycle and wear his helmet, even though it would take hours to clean the motorcycle for the next week's inspection.

Instead of attending the annual San Diego Police Officers Association Christmas Party, Jerry spent his time collecting and separating the toys collected from the officers attending the party. Jerry spent his own time to ensure that an appropriate toy was given to each child. The annual toy drive has been named the Jerry Griffin Memorial Toy Drive in Jerry's honor.

1. To assist San Diego Children's Hospital Cancer Care Center
Each year during the Race of Champions, the G. Griffin Fund makes a monetary donation to sponsor a child. We also ensure that at least two police motor officers are present for the event.

2. To support and enhance the Jerry Griffin Memorial Toy Drive
Each year, the G. Griffin Fund makes a monetary donation to the eight area stations of the San Diego Police Department. The officers who serve as toy drive representatives use this money to purchase additional toys to supplement what is collected on the night of the SDPOA Christmas Party. G. Griffin Fund board members now staff the 'toy room', with a large photo of Jerry overlooking the whole process.

3. To provide emergency family funds in selected cases of officer deaths, illnesses or injuries.

We hold the annual Jerry Griffin Memorial "Tour de San Diego" Motorcycle Run, to ensure the Fund always has the means to help cancer-stricken and disadvantaged children. We hope you can attend the annual Motorcycle Run or donate to the Fund.

Please Join Bandit along with hundreds of other Police Officers, and local bikers in supporting the Officer Gerald Griffin Fund. 

 

 

(coverage from last years event below)

Your contribution is 100% tax deductible and you can be sure 100% of your donation goes directly to the G. Griffin Fund and is not used for any administrative purposes.

Checks should be made payable to the SDPOA Charitable Fund with 'G. Griffin Fund' on the memo line. (SDPOA = San Diego Police Officers Association)