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For Blue Knights, A Red Carpet

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 8, 2008

Updated: 05/08/2008 06:55 pm

PLANT CITY - If you thought there were a lot of motorcycles around town last week, it wasn't just your imagination.

About 150 active and retired law enforcement officers who like to ride bikes were in Plant City from May 1 through Sunday for a regional gathering of the Blue Knights motorcycle club. Including spouses and other guests, close to 400 people were on hand for the event.

The Southern Regional 2008 Spring Conference was hosted by the Tampa chapter, although most of the activities were in Plant City.

Dennis Deppert, the conference organizing chairman for Florida Chapter XVII in Tampa, said the conference was successful.

"I was extremely pleased, not only with the participation by club members but also with the hospitality and enthusiasm shown to us at every turn," Deppert said.

Deppert said 60 volunteers from his chapter helped with the conference, which included a banquet at the host hotel, Red Rose Inn and Suites; a fish fry at Edward Medard Park; and a visit to the monthly Bike Fest in downtown Plant City.

The Blue Knights was founded in 1974 in Bangor, Maine, Deppert said. The nonprofit international organization is made up of active and retired law enforcement officers who "enjoy riding motorcycles," he said.

Many of those attending the regional conference rode motorcycles from hometowns in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and all parts of Florida. On May 2, Plant City Police Chief Bill McDaniel led 90 motorcycles on an escorted ride from the host hotel to Edward Medard Park via back roads through the secluded parts of Hopewell and Keysville.

"I led them through some old orange groves and narrow paved roads east of County Road 39," McDaniel said. "An escorted ride is work for us the police department, but hopefully fun for those being escorted. We didn't get too far off the beaten path, just enough to make the ride interesting and fun."

McDaniel was founding president of Florida Chapter XXVII in Plant City in 2003.

While the 150 or so guests were enjoying their meal at the park, many of them took the time to thank McDaniel for the ride. Some said they were still looking for some hills in the flat Florida landscape.

Ashley and Louise Darley rode their bikes to Plant City from Dawson, Ga., to take part in the conference. They said they take pride in the Blue Knights' charity work.

"Motorcycle clubs are generally charitable by nature," Ashley Darley said. "The Blue Knights show great compassion for the families of fallen officers. We are also active in charities grounded within our communities. Many of the neighboring clubs combine efforts to support a family or individual who needs financial help."

Ashley Darley is a wildlife officer in Dawson. Louise Darley is a Superior Court clerk in the same county.

Vernon Zick, a retiree with 34 years in law enforcement with the Fairfax County Police Department, said the Blue Knights organize a national weeklong convention each year in Washington, to support the families of law enforcement officers.

Gary Johnson, the Tampa chapter president, is an 18-year Clearwater police officer. He said each chapter has a specific charity it supports.

"Our chapter, Florida XVII, selected the Gold Shield Foundation," Johnson said. "The foundation benefits widowed families who lost a provider in the line of duty. We also benefit local and national fundraisers to benefit families of fallen officers."

Glenn Monroe, president of the Plant City chapter, is a retired detective for the Detroit Police Department.

"I moved to Lakeland in 1998," Monroe said. He joined the Blue Knights in 2005 and was named chapter president in December.

Monroe said there are 16 members in the Plant City chapter, with six others seeking membership. The club makes weekly rides to places such as Crystal River, Leesburg, Lake Okeechobee and Ocala via scenic routes.

"The shared experiences of law enforcement personnel are unique to us," Monroe said. "A lot of people can't understand the sacrifice and dangers we have faced in our careers and daily lives. We do have a special bond. With a few exceptions, we can easily identify with one another. If you have worn a badge, there is a quicker trust and closer tie that we can share with each other."

Monroe said Plant City was a good choice for the conference.

"Chief McDaniel and his officers have bent over backward to make this an event we will all enjoy and remember," Monroe said. "And Bike Fest week was a perfect fit as well."

About 2,500 motorcycles, including 130 ridden by members of the Blue Knights, were at the May 3 Bike Fest, a free motorcycle jamboree hosted by the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce the first Saturday monthly.

"The radio DJ on the Bike Fest stage helped us raise some money for the Gold Shield Foundation," said Deppert, a retired New York Police Department homicide detective.

Deppert said that when it was announced to the crowd that so many law enforcement officers were in the crowd, people started looking around and began backing away from the stage.

"Some people scattered," Deppert said. "Everybody got a good laugh out of it. Best of all, when we passed the hat we made a few hundred dollars for the cause."

"Plant City couldn't have done better for us than they did," Deppert said.

Deppert referred to the club's motto: "Among the Blue Knight members there are no strangers, only friends you haven't met."

"We've made some good friends in Plant City," he said.

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451 or gnewman@tampatrib.com.

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