Riverhead officials to compete in fundraiser where winner swims with sharks

Riverhead Supervisor Sean Walter and Police Chief David Hegermiller face off in a fundraising competition tonight, and the prize is a dip in a shark tank.

The Riverhead officials are raising money for the Riverhead nonprofit Aid to the Developmentally Disabled, or ADD, for the organization’s second annual Shamrock Shindig fundraiser.

Whoever raises the most money will be lowered into a 120,000-gallon shark tank at the Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center in downtown Riverhead.

Walter, in a statement, urged donors to ensure the police chief takes the plunge.

“Chief Hegermiller is probably more used to dealing with dangerous individuals,” the supervisor said. “Therefore, I am pleading with everyone to be generous and make large contributions to this worthy cause in the name of David Hegermiller.”

Donations can be made in either man’s name through crowdrise.com/addshamrockshindig. They were tied with $325 each on Wednesday afternoon. ADD had secured more than $7,000 overall.

The event is scheduled to take place at the aquarium from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.tonight.

Tickets are $65 for adults and $25 for children. In addition to the “Shark Tank Showdown,” the event is to feature Irish food and beverages and a comedy show.

ADD operates 30 residential programs for developmentally disabled and mentally ill people on eastern Long Island.