Crime & Safety

Fundraiser for Injured Police Officer in Fairfax City Sunday

Fairfax County Police Officer Long Dinh was critically injured in the line of duty on Feb. 28.

 

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 77 will hold a fundraiser for Fairfax County Police Officer Long Dinh this Sunday, April 28 at Hard Times Cafe, 4069 Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax City.

Dinh, an officer in the Mason District, was critically injured during a late-night police chase that ended in a head-on collision earlier this year on Feb. 28.

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According to police, that night, police officers responded to the report of a domestic dispute in the 4800 block of Tapestry Drive, not far from the George Mason University campus in Fairfax. 

The officers reportedly approached 40-year-old Cicero I. Limberea, of no fixed address, who was outside the home in his vehicle. When officers asked Limberea to step out of his car, he took off in the car.

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Officers reportedly pursued Limberea for several miles as he drove erratically, often in the wrong lanes against incoming traffic and nearly colliding with several cars. Back-up was called, and several other police vehicles joined the pursuit.

At one point, as Limberea crossed the Capital Beltway, Officer Dinh's vehicle collided with Limberea's SUV.

Limberea died at the scene. Officer Dinh was reportedly trapped in his vehicle for some time before rescuers were able to cut him out, and he was transported to the hospital.

According to a "Valor Spotlight" page created for him, Officer Dinh was in a coma for a long time following the crash, but NBC4 reports that, just recently, Dinh was released from the hospital and will now continue rehabilitating at home.

On the website, people have written words of encouragement to Dinh as he continues to heal from his injuries.

“This is a dedicated officer and a dedicated community servant and family member. He is worthy of any assistance that we can afford him," wrote Mike Scanlon, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, on the Valor Spotlight site.

"We are hoping to reach a goal that would alleviate the worry associated with the loss of work and bills to renovate his living area to meet his daily life needs. We want him to focus on his recovery and get back to the profession that he loves. With your kind donation, we can help him reach that goal," Scanlon added.

People can also make donations to Dinh's recovery costs on the site.

The fundraiser will take place this Sunday from 12 to 7 p.m. The event will feature t-shirt sales, food and drink, and raffle and auction prizes up for grabs include a Redskins helmet signed by Robert Griffin III, Caps and Nats tickets, and restaurant gift certificates. The Hard Times Cafe will donate a portion of the night's sales to an account set up for Officer Dinh.

"The funds collected will help to offset the mounting costs associated with the long-term rehabilitation that he and his family face," organizers said.

Parking will be available across the street from Hard Times at 4100 Chain Bridge Road.

For more information about Officer Dinh's rehabilitation and this event, visit:

http://www.fairfaxlodge77.com/

http://valorspotlight.org/

 

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