Thin Blue Line Variety Show to benefit Rialto Police Officer Memorial

Live music, comedy and even a little karaoke are part of the Rialto Police Benefit Association’s first-ever Variety Show: Thin Blue Line, June 3.

The event features the talents of nearly a dozen former and current members of the Rialto Police Department and locals looking to raise funds for an officer’s memorial to honor three of RPD’s fallen: Sgt. Darrell K. Lee, Sgt. Gary Wolfley, and Ofc. Sergio Carrera, Jr.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at https://rialtopba.com/news/2017-talent-show and at the doors of the Sandra R. Courtney Community Playhouse the day of the show. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the showcase begins at 7 p.m.

Some taking the stage Saturday are dedicating their acts to the late officers, including musician and singer Jaime “Jim” Cendejas, and Noretta Barker, who wrote a poem in honor of Rialto’s heroes.

“We have some very heroic police officers,” said Barker, who along with Kim Martin is co-organizing the event with the benefit association. “I see their bravery every day. And anything we can do to honor our officers, and remember our fallen, I’m for it.”

The family-friendly show will be emceed by The Prince of Clean Comedy — Cizzle C and will spotlight Rialto police Cpl. James Massey, playing the drums and word is he “is awesome.” Belting out tunes will be former Rialto police officer Adam Villalpando, former department dispatchers Bobbie Chapman and Diane Leahy, Paul Valenzuela and Renee Cendejas and former department officer and now Redlands police Sgt. Andy Capps, all who have an amazing voice, says Barker.

Robert Lopez and Ejay Tumulak will put on a hip hop number and Sarah Urbieta, a local 13-year-old singer, will be performing via video for the show as she is in NYC on an audition.

And for the talent hopefuls, a lucky audience member will be selected to show off their karaoke skills during the show.

Barker hopes the event pulls in about $2,000 in support of the memorial, which will cost upwards of $80,000, she said.

“We’re about a quarter of the way there and we’ll keep pushing forward.”

Donations toward the memorial are accepted year-round and can be made at https://rialtopba.com.