The Virginian-Pilot 
                            THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Tuesday, July 9, 1996                 TAG: 9607090221
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   47 lines

CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION: ***************************************************************** A story in Tuesday's MetroNews section said a fund-raising benefit would help pay medical expenses for injured motorcycle officer Rich Dinapoli. The city of Virginia Beach will cover Dinapoli's medical expenses. However, his injury has also resulted in many family expenses that are not covered, which is why police and an Oceanfront business held the fund-raiser for him. Correction published Wednesday, July 10, 1996. ***************************************************************** FUND-RAISER TONIGHT TO BENEFIT INJURED BEACH POLICE OFFICER

Police and an Oceanfront business are sponsoring a fund-raising benefit tonight to help pay medical expenses for Rich Dinapoli, a motorcycle officer who was badly hurt in a crash with a drunken driver.

The benefit will be held at The Edge at 2108 Atlantic Ave. from 6 to 9 p.m.

Dozens of area businesses and merchants have donated items, from leather jackets to surfboards, to be given away as raffle prizes. All money raised will go to the Dinapoli family's medical expenses.

Dinapoli, 35, suffered severe leg injuries when a drunken driver pulled into the path of his motorcycle April 23. The officer was using his lights and siren as he responded to a call.

The accident was the second time in two years the officer was badly hurt in crashes with drunken drivers. After the first crash in April, 1994, Dinapoli underwent extensive rehabilitation and was finally cleared for duty. Because of the severity of his recent injuries, his fate as a police officer is uncertain.

Dinapoli, a husband and father of a baby girl, is slowly recovering, but medical expenses are mounting. While he is receiving most of his $29,000 salary as he recovers, he had to give up a second job. His wife said she will have to leave her job to care for him.

Several of Dinapoli's colleagues decided to have a benefit to help the family pay expenses. ILLUSTRATION: DETAILS

The benefit will be at The Edge at 2108 Atlantic Ave. from 6 to 9

tonight. by CNB