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About the Blue Knights

Last updated: 05/01/2013

The Blue Knights® is a non-profit fraternal organization consisting of active and retired law enforcement men & women who enjoy riding motorcycles. In the Spring of 1974, several law enforcement officers* from the Bangor, Maine (USA) area met and and formed a small, local motorcycle club. The rest, as they say, is history.

Soon, Blue Knight chapters were being formed in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and beyond. With the addition of Canada, and later Australia, the Blue Knights became an international organization.

*Our Founding Fathers are: Joel Rudom, Bill Robinson, Doug Miner, Ed Gallant, Mike Hall, Chuck Gesner, Wayne Labree, Chuck Shuman

As of May 2013, we have 600 chapters and approx. 20,000 members in 27 countries.

CA XVII Ventura County History

In the late ‘70’s a Ventura County chapter was founded by Gene Cool of the Oxnard Police Dept. When he retired in the early 90’s the chapter seemed to retire with him. In 2002 Landis Potter and Larry Meyers started talking about chartering a new Ventura County chapter. Landis and Joe Galante grabbed the bull by the horns and Chapter CA XVII was born. Landis became the first president and Joe the vice-president. Larry Meyers was elected president in 2004 and is currently still serving in that capacity. We have active and retired members from the following agencies: Ventura County Sheriff, Santa Barbara Sheriff, Oxnard Police, Santa Paula Police, Calif. Highway Patrol, Los Angeles Police, Santa Monica Police, and Ventura College Police.

By-Laws

According to the By-Laws, our purposes and goals are to:

Provide for the mutual assistance, enjoyment, entertainment, education, physical, mental and social benefit of its members and the general public.

To promote and advance the sport of motorcycling and the safety of motorcycling.

To serve the interests of motorcycle owners and users.

To promote by example and any other acceptable means, safe use, operation and enjoyment of motorcycles.

To develop a fraternal spirit between law enforcement personnel and the general public.

Benefits of Knighthood

It is difficult stating what makes the Blue Knights® so special. Perhaps the following will help explain the kinds of feelings that flow when a bunch of motorcycle-riding police officers get together.

Knighthood is:

  • Enjoying the company of different people who share not only the common bond of a career in law enforcement, but also a love of motorcycles.
  • Being able to visit your friends in any of our member countries and be treated like family.
  • Receiving get-well cards from people you've never met. (There are no strangers in the Blue Knights, only friends you haven't met.)
  • Riding with the Ladies of the Knights and Little Knights who give that added family touch.
  • Going to handicapped children's camps, giving the kids rides and seeing the smiles on their faces.
  • Various fund-raising activities for those less fortunate.

Being a Blue Knight is all this and much, much more.

Working with Charities

Many Blue Knights work long and hard to raise money for various charities. Especially near to our hearts is helping children. The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (Ride for Kids), Make-a-Wish Foundation, Toys for Tots, D.A.R.E., and Concerns of Police Survivors are some examples of our favorites.

As of 31 July 2009 Blue Knights have donated to numerous charities; contributing time in the amount of $4,092,292.00, goods with an estimated value of $631,217.24 and $6,921,532.87 in cash for a total of$11,645,042.11 (USD)

We're the good guys!

The Blue Knights is a family fraternity. Spouses and children often accompany our members to the various rides and functions. When traveling, local members can provide assistance, directions and sometimes a place to stay. We are truly a family.

Among the Blue Knight Members,

"There are no strangers, only friends you haven't met."

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