Lakeport Police Officer Gary Basor (left) and Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen washed cars to benefit Lake County Sheriff's Sgt. Brian Kenner and his family at a special benefit car wash on Saturday, June 25, 2011. Photo courtesy of Lakeport Fire Chief Ken Wells.

As most of you know, Lake County Sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Kenner was injured while at work and suffered a traumatic brain injury.

His recovery will be a long road and the members of the Lakeport Police Department wanted to go the extra mile for a close member of our law enforcement family.

So, we organized and held a benefit car wash for the Kenner family on Saturday June 25.

The event was an absolute success. We washed more than 125 cars and raised over $1,600 in just a few hours. The community showed us the high regard with which they hold their public safety members.

I would like to thank and recognize a few folks for their hard work at the car wash today.

Before I list those hard working members of the Lakeport Police Department who participated, I need to extend a special thanks to some special people who heard about this event and took it upon themselves to come and help.

Community members Steve and Crystal Esberg, Heather Wichlaz and her children, Phil Mateer Jr. and Tyler Martin all deserve a special thanks.

Lakeport Police Department members and family Bob Marks, Pat McFarland, Brad Rasmussen, Gary Basor, Bob Jordan, Jason Ferguson, Dale Stoebe, Jarvis Jessica and Cameron Leishman and Gage Taylor worked hard through the day to make this event a success.

Seeing our community and law enforcement family come together to support of one of our own was amazing.

Thank you all.

Norman Taylor is president of the Lakeport Police Officers Association, based in Lakeport, Calif.