On Wednesday, November 29th, the San Francisco Police Officers Association, the Northern District Community Police Advisory Board and Another Planet Entertainment are staging a benefit for Officer Elia Lewin-Tankel, who was critically injured in a hit-and-run last month while on bike patrol.
Lewin-Tankel, a 5-year veteran of the force, sustained serious head trauma when he was struck by a car allegedly driven by Maurquise Johnson, 50.
After the incident, Johnson, who also uses the name Willie Flanigan, fled the scene and was apprehended a few hours later after an extensive manhunt. He’s now in county jail awaiting a court hearing scheduled for January 17th.
Lewin-Tankel, 32, is assigned to Tenderloin station and received a Purple Heart Award two years ago when he was injured in the line of duty. A jiu-jitsu enthusiast and teacher, he also recently started law school, according to ABC7.
This week, he’s being transferred to a rehab facility in the South Bay.
The November 29th fundraiser will be held at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium (99 Grove St. at Polk) from 5:30–10pm. In addition to a full bar, the event will offer live music, small bites, and a silent auction.
Tickets are $40 and will be available at the door.
In addition to the upcoming fundraiser, a GoFundMe campaign to assist Lewin-Tankel and his family has raised $86,280 of its $100,000 goal. His wife, Shideh, is an English teacher at Mission High, “and her paid time off will soon be exhausted,” notes the campaign page.
