TRAVELING IN STYLE; BOY RECOVERING FROM BURNS TOURS SHERIFF'S STATION.

Byline: Steve Carney Staff Writer

Peering from under a flight helmet that nearly swallowed him up, 11-year-old burn victim Denis Nefedov grinned and gave a thumbs up - as best he could - before zooming off in the sheriff's helicopter Thursday.

The Russian boy, in the midst of a yearlong series of treatments at the Grossman Burn Center in Sherman Oaks, took a field trip to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Valencia station. And in the tour package, deputies included the boy's first helicopter ride, a 10-minute flight over Santa Clarita.

``I liked it. I wasn't scared. It was very good, but it wasn't enough,'' he said through an interpreter and clamored for more. He admitted the turns roiled his stomach a little, though.

``He's quite a boy,'' said the pilot, Deputy Ed Jahn. ``He needs the morale boost, and we're glad to help. For this (Sheriff) Lee Baca would say, hell yes.''

Denis was severely burned in a household accident Oct. 23, 1997, at his family's home on Sakhalin Island, near Japan. Doctors in Russia tried to mend his scarred face and gnarled hands, then Denis and his mother came to the United States in March, seeking more advanced treatment the Grossman Burn Center offered to donate.

His next surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, to repair his nose and forehead. He's already endured four grueling operations to remove scars from his cheeks and graft skin from his thighs there.

But on Thursday, Denis got to relax - playing with a patrol car siren, calling ``freeze, police'' over the loudspeaker, and clambering on the ground collecting brass shell casings.

He and his mother, Janna Nefedova, and some friends toured the sheriff's station, visiting the dispatch center, mug-shot room, holding cell and drunk tank. Some of the sights especially interested Nefedova, who worked for the police department as a probation officer in Russia. At least, she used to.

``They fired me the first of June when they found out I was going to be here a year. They said they would take me back, but now I have no money and no pension,'' she said, then shrugged. ``My son is worth more.''

Her husband, Andre, had to remain behind and continue his job with Russia's coast guard.

Deputy Tom Drake, who organized the tour, said Nefedova was amazed at the extravagance of the Sheriff's Department, having helicopters simply for patrol. ``All we have are gunships,'' she told him.

Denis and his mother said they continue to be overwhelmed by the generosity of the people they meet during their stay.

``I want to say a big, big thank-you for everybody,'' Denis said. ``They're all very kind and good people.''

``This leaves me speechless,'' Nefedova added. ``I didn't think so many people would make a fuss. I'm very happy we had a chance to come here and meet all these people.''

The Learning Express toy store in Santa Clarita gave Denis a shopping spree two weeks ago. And on Tuesday, the Chuck E. Cheese pizza parlor in Valencia threw Denis a gala 11th birthday party - with pizza, cake, game tokens and entertainment for him and his friends, including some of the doctors and nurses at the Burn Center.

Despite these generous gifts, Denis and his mother continually need spending money for clothes and food while they're in the United States, said Diana Mitchell of Tarzana, who's let the pair move into her home. She said one of their greatest current hardships is the lack of a car, which Janna needs to take Denis to the hospital.

To help Denis, or assist with any other child burn cases, contact the Children's Burn Foundation at [phone]. Or write the foundation at 4929 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403.

``Thank you so much,'' Denis said as he left the sheriff's station, testing out the English he's learning. ``Bye. Nice to meet you.''

``I'll be your partner any time you want to go out,'' Drake called back. ``I'll let him play with the siren, but he can't drive.''

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo: (1) Denis Nefedov, left, and his surgeon, Peter Grossman, play arcade games together during Denis' 11th birthday party, sponsored by Chuck E Cheese.

(2) ``Freeze, police!'' says Denis Nefedov, left, over the police speaker in Santa Clarita Valley sheriff's Crime Prevention Deputy Tom Drake's car.

(3) Denis Nefedov, right, adjusts his helmet before he and his mom, Janna Nefedova, left, embark on the helicopter part of their tour of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's station.

Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Staff Photographer