Benefit raises tens of thousands for injured officer

Cops, correction officers, prosecutors and family and friends of seriously injured Nassau County Police Officer Kenneth Baribault raised tens of thousands of dollars at a benefit for him last night.

Nassau Police Benevolent Association president James Carver said about a thousand people prepaid $25 each to attend the event at Mulcahy's Bar in Wantagh, and he expected another thousand to show up.

Baribault was injured on May 18 when an apparently intoxicated motorist smashed into his car on the Long Island Expressway as he ran a query on another alleged drunken driver he already had stopped.

The 30-year-old officer, who still cannot speak or move his right arm or legs, now can chew and swallow, and lift a fork to his mouth with his left hand, his two sisters said at a news conference Wednesday. They cautioned, though, that his recovery will be very slow.

Baribault is now in rehabilitation for brain trauma and a shattered pelvis.

With last night's turnout, Long Islanders and other area residents continued what his sister Danielle Rella has said is an outpouring of support for Baribault and his family with cards, calls, cash and prayers.

PBA officials, who organized the benefit, said the money raised will go toward the education of Baribault's son, Chris, 6, and help pay hotel costs for the officer's parents and sister, who have been staying near the West Orange, N.J., rehabilitation facility where Baribault is being treated.

Pearl Spellman and five of her co-workers from Gennaro Jewelers in Bellmore, which donated a $7,800 diamond ring to be raffled, said the benefit was for an important cause.

"We were touched by this terrible tragedy," she said.

By SID CASSESE (newsday)
Posted Thursday, August 14, 2008

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