Erik Estrada is still wowing, surprising fans decades after CHiPs

PALM HARBOR — He still has the gregarious smile, the highway patrol officer's uniform and the dark sunglasses.

But instead of handing out speeding tickets as he did on the 1970s and '80s hit show CHiPs, officer Francis Llewellyn "Ponch" Poncherello was handing out "sightations" Friday.

Erik Estrada, who played "Ponch," was at the Transitions Championship at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Course on behalf of the lensmaker and title sponsor of the PGA tournament.

Between hugs, pictures with fans and his smile, Estrada issued tournamentgoers the "sightations" for "crimes" such as "aggravated visual assault" (wearing really bad glasses) and "indecent exposure" (exposing your eyes to the sun's harmful UV rays).

"Transitions is a fine organization and they want to bring social consciousness and awareness so people will take more notice about their eyes," Estrada, 61, said. "There are so many things that can be found by having a yearly eye exam."

On CHiPs, Estrada played a patrolman for the California Highway Patrol. The show made Estrada a household name.

"The majority of the people I run into now, all grew up watching the show," Estrada said. "The show is good times for people and it aired Sunday nights which was often family time."

In addition to doing appearances, Estrada said he works with the Bedford County, Va., Sheriff's Office. He said he helps a task force that builds cases against people involved with child pornography and Internet crimes against children.

"Yes, I am a cop," Estrada said.