New Porsche wrapped as tribute to Ventura County sergeant who died in 2018 Borderline shooting
VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. - A new Rusnak Westlake Porsche received a special wrap this week as a tribute to a Ventura County sergeant who lost their life in the 2018 Borderline shooting.
The sheriff's office said, early this year, Rusnak Porsche in Westlake reached out to Sheriff Ayub because they wanted to do something to pay tribute to late Sergeant Ron Helus.
Sgt. Helus was killed during the Thousand Oaks shooting at the Borderline Bar & Grille the night of November 7, 2018, which claimed a total of 12 lives, including a young Carpinteria man's, before the shooter took his own life at the scene.
According to the sheriff's office, Helus and another officer were the first law enforcement officials to arrive at the scene when the active shooter was called in. Sgt. Helus is remembered by his wife and son.
The sheriff's office explained on Instagram that, "This Porsche 911 has been wrapped with details that honor Ron's 29 years of service to the people of Ventura County, and his life saving heroic actions at the Borderline."
The maker put Sgt. Helus' call sign on the hood of the vehicle and his name on the driver's side door.
The unit number given to the Porsche is also the the number of the unit he was driving the night he was killed.
The sheriff's office said the General Manager of Rusnak/Westlake Porsche, Keith Goldberg, thought of Sgt. Helus when he saw a brand new 2020 white 911 Carrera on the showroom floor. After presenting his plan, Porsche Cars North America agreed to cover the cost of the wrap.
Fortunately, Ghost Shield Film, located in Thousand Oaks, donated their labor and material costs at no charge to the project. This allowed the $6,000 donation from Porsche to be given entirely to the Ventura County Sheriff's Foundation for additional officer training.
The sheriff's Office confirmed no money from the public was used in the making of this vehicle.
Porsche Westlake is calling this the Hero 911 Tribute. You can watch the full reveal video on YouTube here.
The sheriff's office stated the wrap is temporary and will eventually be removed so that the Porsche can be sold. The display was made as a tribute to Sgt. Helus and part of a marketing and fundraising campaign for the Sheriff's Foundation.
