MOTORCYCLISTS RAISE $33,000 FOR FAMILIES.

Byline: Holly Edwards Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - About 1,200 motorcyclists raised more than $33,000 in the fifth annual Downed Officer Support Ride, a 100-mile poker run to raise money for families of police officers killed in the line of duty.

The Sunday ride began at Valencia Town Center mall and took cyclists on a scenic trip to Gorman on winding, canyon roads. Riders ended the day with a party featuring a live band and Mexican food at the Rye Canyon North Campus Film Facility in Valencia.

Event founder and organizer, Sgt. Robert Norlemann of the Santa Clarita sheriff's station, said the families of every LAPD officer and sheriff's deputy killed in the past four years have received a portion of the money raised by the rides.

``A lot of times the benefits don't kick in right away, so we can help out with expenses until the family gets back on their feet,'' he said. ``We also focus on providing emotional support through our grief counselors.''

Two crashes during the ride put a damper on the event, however.

Daniel Serrano, a state prison correctional sergeant, was hospitalized with critical head injuries Monday after crashing his motorcycle on Lake Hughes Road.

A friend of Serrano also crashed on Lake Hughes Road while on his way to get help for Serrano and suffered a broken collar bone and ribs, Norlemann said.

On Monday, Serrano's family reported that the officer was conscious, was expected to be taken off a respirator, and was ``doing a lot better,'' Norlemann said.

Both men are at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital.

After the ride was over, three motorcyclists suffered minor injuries when a driver ran a red light at Pico Canyon Boulevard and The Old Road and crashed into them, Norlemann said.

``Unfortunately, when you get 1,200 bikers together, the chances of an accident are much greater,'' he said, adding the no serious injuries have been reported during previous rides.

In the past, money raised in the event has been given to family support groups of the Sheriff's Department and Los Angeles Police Department, composed of spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty or who died untimely deaths.

This year, a portion of the money will be donated to the newly formed Downed Officer Support Foundation, which will provide financial and emotional assistance to families of deceased law enforcement officers as well as firefighters throughout Southern California.

Norlemann said his dream is to eventually create a nationwide support network for families of deceased police officers and firefighters.