Behind the Badge
Bluesy guitar riffs echoed throughout the parking lot of the City National Grove of Anaheim on Saturday, April 15.
A black 57 Chevy, a customized, bright-red Ford Model A and other four-wheeled museum pieces were positioned side by side, their hoods popped open to display the engines.
Parked nearby was a single row of glistening chrome and metal in the shape of Harley Davidson motorcycles that stretched for 100 yards.
Kids check out the Banana Car during the Anaheim Police Department Mounted Unit 2nd Annual Car Show at The City National Grove of Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
These vintage vehicles were gathered for the Anaheim Police Department Mounted Unit 2nd Annual Car Show, a fundraising event organized by Anaheim PD Officer Eric Anderson of the department’s Traffic Unit.
Proceeds went toward the care of the horses in the APD’s Mounted Unit along with the Traffic Unit’s car seat inspection program, which provides free car seats to qualifying families.
The Traffic Unit also installed child safety seats throughout the car show.
Anaheim PD Explorers serve breakfast during the Anaheim Police Department Mounted Unit 2nd Annual Car Show.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“It’s nice to be able to come together with them for the cause,” Anderson said. “Let’s face it: It’s a car show, so we wanted to bring all of the things we could to one event.”
The free, family friendly event also featured an Easter Egg hunt, pancake breakfast, police demonstrations, raffles and live music performed by the Bubba & the Big Bad Blues.
Close to 70 members of the Lifestyles Cycles Riding Group, an Anaheim club that attends law enforcement and first responder events, turned out with their Harleys.
Bob White of Lifestyle Cycles in Anaheim grills pancakes for breakfast.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“It’s a charitable event and it’s supporting the police department,” said Johnny Ochoa, a member of the group. “I support law enforcement. If I need help, they are the ones who save me.”
Said April Newman, who came along with Ochoa: “With all of the negative stuff about the police, I wanted to come out and support the event. We want to have camaraderie with the police.”
Nonprofits at the event included Cops 4 Causes, which provides resources to families of law enforcement officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty.
A blue 1956 Chevy Bel Air owned by Larry Frazier of Anaheim was one of many cars on display at the Anaheim Police Department Mounted Unit 2nd Annual Car Show on April 15.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Margaret Miller, a retired dispatcher from the Cypress Police Department and now a volunteer with the Whittier PD, sold T-shirts and other items to raise money for the grandchildren of Officer Keith Boyer, the Whittier police officer who was killed in the line of duty Feb. 20.
The car show raised about $3,000, Anderson said. The money goes to the car seat safety program and to help care for horses in the department’s mounted unit.
The Traffic Unit also performed several free safety inspections and installed eight free car safety seats.
More safety seat inspection events are being planned for the future, Anderson said.
Shirts are sold to raise money for a college fund for the grandkids of Whittier PD Officer Keith Boyer, who was killed in the line of duty in February.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Metro Cities Fire Authority Manager Gary Gionet looks over the Anaheim PD motorcycles on display during the Anaheim Police Department Mounted Unit 2nd Annual Car Show.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim PD Officer Oscar Ayon looks over a car seat and gives tips for proper use to Patty Quintero of Anaheim and her 7-week-old daughter Presley Otero during a free car seat inspection provided by the Anaheim PD during the event.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Johnny Ochoa, left, and Denis Kennedy at the Anaheim Police Mounted Unit 2nd Annual Car Show.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Members of the Lifestyle Cycles Riding Group, a big supporter of law enforcement, gather during the event.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim PD Officer Shane Spielman demonstrates his motor skills on an obstacle course.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim PD Officer Steve Anderson demonstrates his motor skills on an obstacle course.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim PD Motor Officers Steve Anderson, left, and Shane Spielman compete on an obstacle course.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
