Members of the Punishers Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club (LEMC) are organizing a fundraiser to support Deputy Sergeant Aaron Barnes, who was severely injured in January 2024 when he was struck by a vehicle. The event, called the Ambush Poker Run, is set to take place on May 4 starting at 9:00 AM at The Back Porch located at 1404 Sibley Road in Minden.
Registration for the event will begin at 9 AM, with the ride itself starting at 10 AM. Participants are not required to hit the points in any specific order; they can choose their own route. However, the final point of the run will be at Roma Italian Bistro, located at 519 Main Street in Minden, where the rest of the event will be held at 6 PM.
Sergeant Aaron “Rage” Barnes, a member of the Punishers/Ambush brotherhood and a Sergeant for the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office, was injured in the line of duty. The fundraiser aims to raise money for Barnes and his family during his time of healing. Anyone is welcome to join the poker run, or if they prefer, they can simply stop by and make a donation. All participants will be required to fill out and sign a waiver, and it is not necessary to ride a motorcycle to participate.
The entry fee for the poker run is $20 per hand. The event will feature several stop points, including The Back Porch, Boomers, Sharpe’s, Daddy’s Barn, and Roma Italian Bistro. Rewards will be given for the best and worst hands, with $100 for the best hand and $50 for the worst hand. Additionally, there will be a drawing for a door prize and a raffle for other items.
Sheriff Jason Parker of the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude for the fundraiser, stating, “We’re happy that they’re doing that for Aaron, and we’re going to try to do what we can to help him. We really appreciate what they’re doing.”
For more information, individuals are encouraged to attend the event or contact Minden Police Officer Mitch Hackett, one of the organizers of the fundraiser, for details.