Hundreds Ride to Honor and Support Ventura County’s First Responders
11TH ANNUAL SERGEANT RON HELUS RIDE FOR THE BLUE RETURNS TO VENTURA COUNTY ON SATURDAY MAY 30
VENTURA COUNTY, CA – More than 300 motorcycles, as well as first responder vehicles, will make their way across Ventura County on Saturday, May 30, as the 11th annual Sergeant Ron Helus Ride for the Blue returns to honor local heroes.
The ride begins at Simi Valley City Hall where participants check in, receive a commemorative event t-shirt, and enjoy breakfast before opening announcements begin. The lineup stretches more than a mile long, as riders travel to eight additional police stations throughout the county, with lunch provided by Firehouse Subs at the Oxnard Police Station. Residents of all ages are invited to show their support and cheer on the riders at each stop along the route.
Originally called Ride for the Blue, the event was renamed in 2019 in memory of Sergeant Ron Helus, who gave his life protecting others during the 2018 Borderline shooting. “This event is a tribute to Sergeant Ron Helus and to every first responder who serves the community,” says John Short III, the ride’s founder. “It’s a time for the community to come together and show their support for those who put their lives on the line every day.”
“We ask our first responders to handle the unimaginable, and we owe it them to make sure they have the support they need when the call is over,” says Jim Fryhoff, Ventura County Sheriff. “This ride helps fund the wellness programs that give them that support. I am proud to stand behind a community that shows up for one another.”
Riders interested in participating are encouraged to register in advance, as registration will not be available the day of the event.
WHAT: 11th annual Sergeant Ron Helus Ride for the Blue honoring Ventura County’s first responders
WHEN: Saturday, May 30, 2026
6:30 AM – 7:15 AM | Check in | Simi Valley City Hall
7:15 AM – 7:45 AM | Opening announcements: John Short III (Sergeant Ron Helus Ride for the Blue founder), Steve Shorts (Simi Valley Police Chief), Jim Fryhoff (Ventura County Sheriff), Dustin Gardner (Ventura County Fire Department Chief), Heather Hoglund (Moorpark Area Office of California Highway Patrol Captain), and Karen Helus (wife of Sergeant Ron Helus)
8:00 AM | Ride begins
WHERE: 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM | Simi Valley City Hall, 2929 Tapo Canyon Road, Simi Valley
8:30 AM – 9:05 AM | Thousand Oaks Police Station, 2101 East Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks
9:25 AM – 9:45 AM | Moorpark Police Station, 610 Spring Road, Moorpark
10:15 AM – 10:35 AM | Camarillo Police Station, 3701 East Las Posas Road, Camarillo *
11:15 AM – 11:35 AM | Port Hueneme Police Station, 250 North Ventura Road, Port Hueneme
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Oxnard Police Station, 251 South C Street, Oxnard (lunch) *
1:20 PM – 1:40 PM | Ventura Police Station, 1425 Dowell Drive, Ventura
2:05 PM – 2:35 PM | Santa Paula Police Station, 214 South 10th Street, Santa Paula
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM | Fillmore Police Station, 524 Sespe Avenue, Fillmore *
*Media interviews available at these locations
WHY: All proceeds from the event benefit Ventura County Community Foundation and will be used to support wellness training, peer support programs, leadership development and resiliency training for first responders throughout the county.
About Ventura County Community Foundation
The Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting philanthropy throughout the region. Since 1987, VCCF has managed charitable funds with a long-term commitment to the community, focusing on education, grants and collaborative partnerships. As the nonprofit partner for the Sergeant Ron Helus Ride for the Blue, VCCF ensures all event proceeds support resiliency training for Ventura County’s first responders.
About Sergeant Ron Helus Ride for the Blue
What began in 2016 as a small group of friends on motorcycles stopping at local police stations to say thank you, has grown into an annual event dedicated to honoring first responders. In 2019, the ride was renamed in memory of Sergeant Ron Helas, who gave his life protecting others during the 2018 Borderline shooting. Now in its 11th year, the Sergeant Ron Helus Ride for the Blue continues to grow in size and impact, supporting all first responders of Ventura County, including police officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, doctors, nurses and dispatchers, through funding for wellness and resiliency training programs.
