8 Law Enforcement Officers Go On All-Night Swim For Charity

CABRILLO BEACH (CBSLA.com)  —   Eight law enforcement agents put down their police uniforms and donned bathing suits for an all-night swim across the Catalina Channel for charity.

The 5th Annual Catalina to Cabrillo Beach Relay -- about 26 nautical miles -- ended  Sunday morning at Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro.

Funds raised will go directly to the "999 for Kids" fund, which benefits physically and mentally challenged children throughout Los Angeles County. The children are also victims of child abuse, neglect and family violence.

Law enforcement agents taking part were Lieutenant Joe Badali, Sergeant Brent Carlson, Sergeant Matthew Elash, Deputies Luca Gaetani, Dean La Chasse, Welby Cham of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department; Detective Kara Clifford of the LAPD and Officer Tyler Hellinga of the Port Police Department.

The group started about 9 p.m. Saturday and finished around 10 a.m. Sunday.

The "999 for Kids" fund was established in 1985 by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the Department of Children and Family Services.

"999" is the Department's radio code for "Deputy Needs Help Urgently."

For more information about the fund, click here.