NATCHEZ — Smoot’s Grocery is hosting a benefit for a wounded Natchez Police officer from noon to 8 p.m. today.

Natchez Police Lt. Spencer McAllister said Smoot’s is hosting a benefit for him because he suffered a broken ankle while helping the business out, which caused him to miss six weeks of work and pay.

“I was driving home on my personal bike after helping Smoot’s out in May,” McAllister said. “Then out of nowhere, a car clipped my bike and the best way to describe it is that the bone on the inside of my ankle completely broke, which holds the femur together.”

The benefit will feature a poker run event, in which motorcyle riders go from one bar to another, and take a card at each stop. The best hand at the end of the run wins their entry money back. The ride will go from Smoot’s to AK’s Bar and then CR’s Bar and then back to Smoot’s. The price for a single rider is $15 and for a double is $25.

The event will feature live music and no cover charge but organizers encourage a $5 donation and donation buckets will be set up throughout Smoot’s. Also the event will feature a silent auction. Winners announced at 7 p.m. and a raffle will be held with drawings every hour.

McAllister said he was supposed to be out of work for 12 weeks but said he loved his job so much that he rehabed like crazy and was back in six weeks.

“I don’t like to be in the limelight,” McAllister said. “I told them at first I would rather not do this. But Smoot’s told me that they are doing it whether I like it or not.”

The money raised for the benefit will go toward medical and utility bills that McAllister may have had troubles meeting while missing six weeks of work.

Smoot’s is located 319 N. Broadway St. in Natchez.