FREE
VOL 4 ISSUE 6
AUGUST 2019
CC BIKER & MOTORSPORTS E
Supporting Our Officers in the Line of Duty
ach morning they start their day by pinning their badge to their chest. They protect us, our families and our community. Because of this dedication, local businesses have organized the Line of Duty Law Enforcement Run, happening on Saturday, August 31st, in order to honor the work and the families of Officers Scanlan and Davila. This is your chance to join us in giving back to the people who have been watching over our community, all in the line of duty.
In 2016, Fresno Sheriff Correctional Officers Toamalama Scanlan and Juanita Davila got shot inside the Fresno County Jail. Shooter Thong Vang was arrested and sentenced to life in prison with attempted murder charges. Prior to this incident, Vang had served 16 years in prison, after raping three children ages 12 to 14, and had been released in 2014. According to witnesses, Vang showed up asking to see someone in jail, but was very agitated and would not stop yelling at the officers. Davila, who confronted him unarmed, was shot in the jaw, while Scanlan, who went to her aid, got shot in his arm and head. The shooting happened in the lobby of Fresno County Jail, where many people and children were waiting to visit inmates and where the correctional officers do not carry a firearm. Thankfully, both officers are alive and no one else got hurt; however, both officers are still dealing with the repercussions of that traumatic experience. Davila and Scanlan both were in critical but stable condition as they were rushed into surgery. Because of this tragic event, Clawson Motorsports, Fresno County Public Safety Association, Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, The Blaze, Clawson Cares, Clovis Kiwanis Club, Sierra Shadow Casters, and Jackson’s Roadhouse decided to find a way to honor the courage of Officers Scanlan and Davila, and help their family in this time of need. On August 31st, 2019, the Line of Duty Law Enforcement Run will be held benefiting the officers, where all the proceeds will be
donated to their families. Officer Scanlan’s son, Robert, who referred to his father as his “best friend” said “The day Thong Vang shot my father, it changed the world for my family,” referring to the fact that his father needed so many surgeries and is still doing rehab. Both officers are still trying to recover both physically and mentally from the incident. Davila had some words to share, “I am doing well, Praise God. I continue to stay positive and am taking things one day at a time. I am continuing my treatment and it’s going very well. I am blessed to know that my community still continues to pray for Scanlan and me. I am so thankful to be here with my family and enjoy each and every day. I am truly thankful for all of my friends, especially all of my co-workers at the Fresno County Sheriff’s Jail Division.”
Both officers were part of the Fresno Sheriff Correctional Office for more than 20 years. Eulalio Gomez who is Fresno County Public Safety Association’s President and Founder says on behalf of his association “We never forget. We will never forget our brothers and sisters when they are injured or ill. We never forget to help each when life brings them trials and tribulations. We never forget to always stand with our brothers and sisters when we are at work performing our duties. We never forget to help our community because we serve them and appreciate their support.’’ Davila decided to retire from the force, while Scanlan is still receiving rehab treatment in Los Angeles and is hoping to get back to work. Previously, Fresno and Bay Area doctors had believed that Scanlan would never recover from the shooting, but his family knew he was stronger than that. Officer Scanlan’s daughter Paulene, shared “Every time we discussed his next steps in recovery it was always ‘long term care’, it was all we kept hearing. But my mom said ‘no, my husband deserves the best and that is exactly what he is going to get”. Scanlan surprised the doctors with his resilience and how badly he wanted to get better. Now, a couple years later, both of-
ficers continue to receive therapy for their injuries. Scanlan is in Los Angeles receiving stem cell therapy and fighting to come back from his traumatic head injury. His wife Tepa spends many days with him. His beautiful children continue to excel in school and athletics. Davila has two children and two grandchildren, and Scanlan has five children, three of his kids are in college and one of them is graduating from high school this year. Their families are fighting the fear that the incident caused, dealing with mixed emotions in going through physical rehab and trying to keep their finances straight. With all that in mind, the local business that came up with the motorcycle run decided not to benefit from it, but instead encouraged that all the proceeds of the Line of Duty Law Enforcement Motorcycle Run will be given to the officer’s families. Davila is at home spending time with her beautiful family and continues to recover from her physical and mental wounds. She attributes her healing to her strong Christian views. She is loved by many for her kind and considerate personality. Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims shared during a press conference, “We will deal with this. We have the resources available for everyone including our chaplaincy program, peer counselors, and the support we all show each other. It is a very emotional issue, because this is a family. We leave our first families and join another family when we work. So we care deeply about each other. We understand what we do has risks, I am very proud of the way our personnel responded: running towards danger even when they knew shots were fired. I am very proud they were able to take him into custody”. The motorcycle run will start at Clawson Motorsports, 6334
North Blackstone Avenue, Fresno 93710. The check-in starts at 8 a.m. and a pancake breakfast will be provided by the Clovis Kiwanis Club (for all registered riders) so make sure to come early to chat with the people that are making this all possible. Following breakfast, kickstands are up at 10:50 a.m and the destination is Jackson’s Roadhouse, 20023 North Auberry, Clovis 93619, where lunch will be provided, and live bands will entertain you all afternoon. The entry fee is $35 per rider and additional $15 per passenger. Again, all the proceeds will benefit the Davila and Scanlan families, which will help them immensely. We spoke with Clawson Motorsports sales manager, Chris Horsford, about Clawson’s participation on the Law Enforcement Run and he is happy to be able to help Scanlan and Davila’s families. “The Clawson family is proud to be a part of the first annual Line of Duty Law Enforcement Run. We are honored to live in a community where we have so much support of our men and women who put their lives on the line each day, and who allow us all to work and sleep peacefully because they are here to protect us. Be a part of the Line of Duty Law Enforcement Run, and join us in supporting the families of officers Scanlan and Davila.” If you would like to support this motorcycle run, you can visit the Clawson Motorsports website at www.clawsonmotorsports. com or the Facebook page for more information and early check in. Even though it is a motorcycle run, any type of vehicle is welcome. The main goal here is to help the families of the people who have helped keep our community safe and, of course, to have fun! So come ride with some awesome people that are trying to spread love around our community, on August 31st!