DEPUTIES ASSIST KIN OF OF SEPT. 11 VICTIMS.

Byline: Heather MacDonald Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Deputy Jeff Bishop's ramrod posture belied the emotion that crept into his voice as he recounted his efforts to help two families devastated by the Sept. 11 attacks on New York City.

Because of the efforts of Bishop and his partner, Deputy Greg Pruyne, the families of New York police Officer John D'Allara and New York Firefighter Robert Foti, both killed when the World Trade Center collapsed, will spend two weeks in August in Southern California on a much-needed vacation.

``This is about being American and being patriots,'' Bishop said. ``And giving people a chance to help families who need a little bit a brightness.''

Bishop and Pruyne have already given the two families more than $6,000 and raised enough money to pay for the Aug. 9-22 trip, which includes visits to Valencia, Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood and Santa Monica.

``We're hoping to raise enough money so they can start college funds for the kids and put some money away,'' said Bishop, who has worked at the Mira Loma Detention Center in Lancaster with Pruyne for three years.

A tournament at Robinson Ranch Golf Course in Canyon Country on July 29 will raise money for the families, Bishop said.

``We need all the help we can get,'' Bishop said.

D'Allara, a member of a NYPD emergency services team based in Harlem, left behind his wife, Carol, and two sons, John, 8, and Nicholas, 3.

A portion of D'Allara's remains were recovered this week, Bishop said, just as the recovery operation at ground zero came to a formal end.

Foti, a member of Manhattan's Ladder No. 7, is survived by his wife, Florence, 13-year-old Alycia and 11-year-old Robert. His remains have not been found.

The effort began when Bishop and Pruyne traveled to New York to attend funerals for some of the 343 firefighters, 37 Port Authority police officers and 23 New York police officers killed when two hijacked airlines slammed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center nearly nine months ago.

``Just the sight of ground zero changed our lives,'' Bishop said. ``At that time, the rubble was about six stories high. It was devastating.''

When the two deputies returned, they knew they had to do something more.

``This has really taken on a life of its own,'' Bishop said. ``It has snowballed into something bigger than I ever imagined.''

Bishop and Pruyne sold T-shirts emblazoned with the American flag to raise money, and soon hit upon the idea of bringing the Fotis to Southern California on vacation. During another trip to New York, they met the D'Allara family and the snowball started gathering speed.

The Southern California trip has now expanded to include about 20 New York police officers who worked tirelessly to clear ground zero of millions of tons of debris while searching for the remains of the more than 2,800 people killed there.

``We started out supporting our fallen brothers,'' Pruyne said. ``And it ended up to be so much more.''

Santa Clarita city officials are working with the deputies to help offset the cost of the trip. So far, the pledges include reduced room rates at the Hyatt Valencia and free passes to Six Flags California, Valencia.

Their efforts have earned Bishop and Pruyne commendations from Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca and other department officials.

``I can't tell you how proud I am of them,'' said Sgt. Marty Shearer, the deputies' supervisor at Mira Loma. ``This whole experience has helped them gain a level of maturity that has transformed them into better human beings, and by extension, better deputies.''

Both Pruyne and Bishop acknowledge that their experiences after Sept. 11 have profoundly changed their lives.

``I used to take so much for granted,'' said Pruyne, who is married and has two daughters, ages 2 and 4. ``Now, I'm so much more patient, with everything.

Bishop, who is also married and has three daughters, ages 8, 5 and 1, agreed.

``This isn't about us, though,'' Bishop said. ``It's about honoring heroes, and their families.''

HELPING HANDS

Contributions to the Foti and D'Allara families can be addressed to the Fallen Heroes Family Fund, Sheriff's Relief Fund No. 515, while those intended for the police officers can be addressed to the Ground Zero Heroes Fund, Sheriff's Relief Fund No. 252. All donations should be sent to the Mira Loma Detention Facility, 45100 N. 60th Street West, Lancaster, CA, 93536.

CAPTION(S):

box

Box:

HELPING HANDS (see text)