INTERNATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC.
The Blue Knights® International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Inc., was started in April 1974 when Ed Gallant, a police officer with the Bangor, Maine Police Department, had an idea and 7 or 8 other "cops" worked with him to see the idea become a reality. The idea - to form a motorcycle club for people in law enforcement. Some of the early members were Chuck Shuman and Urgan Dyer, of the Brewer Police Department; Wayne LaBree, Sheriff's Office; Dough Miner, Game Warden Service; Bill Robinson, Maine State Police; Joel Rudom, Peboscot County Sheriff's Department; and Chuck Gessner, Probation & Parole.
The name "Blue Knights®" was suggested by Dave Coleman, Chief of the Brewer Police Department and John Bryant, an artist for the Brewer Police Department, (not a Blue Knight) drew the logo for the club.
The news of the Blue Knights® organization began to spread after an article ran in the Bangor Daily News was picked up by the U.P.I.. Articles were also ran in the Road Rider magazine. Inquiries started pouring in and consequently chapters started to form. The first outside of Maine was in Brockton, MA - MA I, in Canada the first chapter was Moncton, N.B. - N.B.I.
According to the By-Laws, our purposes and goals are to:
1. Provide for the mutual assistance, enjoyment, entertainment, education, physical, mental and social benefit of its members and the general public.
2. To promote and advance the sport of motorcycling and the safety of motorcycling.
3. To serve the interests of motorcycle owners and users.
4. To promote by example and any other acceptable means, safe use, operation and enjoyment of motorcycles.
5. To develop a fraternal spirit between law enforcement personnel and the general public.
Many Blue Knights work long and hard to raise money for various charities. Especially near to our hearts is helping children. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Toys for Tots, D.A.R.E., and Concerns of Police Survivors are some examples of our favorites.
To date our membership has donated the equivalent of $16,865,840.00 dollars since records were kept.
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 travelling, 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."
Main Street Bike Night