On Saturday February 10th the Blue Knights AZ IX had our monthly breakfast ride to Biscuits Country Cafe on Broadway. In attendance were Alan & Susan, Bill & Antje, Ken, Robi & Bear, John & Garnetta, and yours truly. Here are a few pictures from todays breakfast:
On Friday February 2nd members of the Blue Knight’s from the SWC and other Chapter’s from around the country and Canada descended upon the Hampton Inn in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
As the bikers starting arriving I took pictures of them and their bikes. Here are a few pictures of them arriving and hanging around the lobby and pool area.:
While we were standing around someone mentioned about going down to the London Bridge. I told them that it was walking distance so off we went. You can go here to read more about the London Bridge and how it came to be in Lake Havasu City: https://www.golakehavasu.com/london-bridge
After returning from the London Bridge and members and family had dinner at their favorite locations we all met back at the hotel to sit back, relax, and mingle with fellow Knights. During the evening Albert (Diablo) and Theresa Soto, from CA X, invited everyone to their house Saturday, late afternoon for a cookout.
On Saturday morning after breakfast everyone met in the parking lot around 10:30 for the ride to Topock66 Restaurant on the shores of the Colorado River and Historic Route 66. If you would like to read more about the Topock66 you can go to: https://topock66.com/. Here are a few pictures of the afternoon activities:
After returning from an afternoon lunch everyone got ready to attend Albert and Theresa’s cookout at their house. After a short break for everyone back at the hotel, people went on their own to the Soto’s home. Here are pictures of the evening activities:
This last picture is of our Host and Hostess for the evening Albert and Theresa Soto.
After a wonderful afternoon at the Soto house everyone headed back to the Hampton Inn at their own pace. ON the last evening of our trip everyone got together in the restaurant and outside lounge area for some last chatting and our last 50/50 for the trip. How fitting could it have been but the last winner of our 50/50 went to Theresa Soto. Hear are photos of our last evening together:
TO ALL: that’s it for the 2024 Winter Gathering in Lake Havasu City. If you are interested in copies of any of these photos you are more than welcome to contact me at (520) 940-0564 of email me at narcdogg@rlfriend.net.
THAT’S ALL FOLKS!!!!!!!!
Hi All,
A few of us got together yesterday and rode with the Arizona Fallen Heroes Memorial Rides, honoring those first responders fallen in the metro Tucson area. This group is one of three rides that came together at one location. These included TPD, DPS, Blue Knights (Terry A, Robert P, and yours truly), American Legion Riders, as well as many other concerned individuals.
Our stops included seven DPS Memorials in the area with services presided by DPS Chaplains at each Memorial.
Other stops included the Tucson Police and Tucson Fire Departments Memorials where DPS Chaplains presided over services for the fallen for those respective agencies.
At the conclusion of the day, all three ride groups met for a final service and BBQ @ Tucson Harley.
The final 2021 rides for Arizona Fallen Heroes Memorial Rides will be in the Phoenix area November 6th. All money made on these nine rides will benefit the 100 CLUB. It’s not too late to register for the Phoenix rides at AZFHMR.ORG. Also join us on Facebook at TPD Rides for info on our TPD memorial rides, one of which is coming up October 28th for Officers Barry Headricks and Jim Smith.
Remember, we have the easy part.
It is with heavy heart that I announce the passing of Bill Daily recently after a short illness. Condolences to his wife Jackie and family.
I was recently with Bill & his wife Jackie for the WC/SW Conference in Prescott, Arizona July 7 – 11. After returning home he mentioned to Jackie that he was having issues with his lower abdomen area. He saw a doctor and ultimately went in for surgery only to pass away. Bill has been a Blue Knights Family since 2005. He was retired from the Arizona DPS.
Cards can be sent to the Daily residence. If you do not have their address cards can be sent to our Chapter address which I will then forward:
Blue Knights AZ 9
C/O Bill Daily Family
P.O. Box 90944
Tucson, Az. 85742-0944
RWP
RoN Friend
It is with heavy hear that I have to announce that our longtime member Bill Daily passed away this week after complications for surgery. Bill and his wife were just in Prescott for the joint WC/SW Conference in early July. Unfortunately at this time I do not have any more information to provide.
RWP
RoN Friend
BK CA-X came through Tucson and spending the weekend of April 29 – May 2 in Tombstone celebrating their 40th Anniversary. Here are a few pictures of their first day. There were members from NV – 2, NM – VI, TX – III, as well as AZ IX. I’m sure I have left out some others as well.
Stan Thibaut was born in Marion, OH on a cold January day in 1948. The family moved to Rochester, NY when he was young and he grew up on Menard Dr. in Rochester. He attend high school in Greece, NY where he graduated in 1966.
He worked for a short time at Eastman Kodak then joined the Irondequoit Police Department. This began his career in a law enforcement. After 3 years of policing the Rochester suburb, he decided he wanted to live in retirement weather while he was young enough to enjoy it. He moved to Tucson in 1974 and began working for the Tucson Police Department. After working patrol and a few other assignments, he was accepted into the solo motor unit. He had been riding his own motorcycle to work and it was love at first ride. The progression of his professional career to Police Motors was a logical path.
He worked solo motors for 17 years. In that time he was instrumental in helping to develop the motors training course for the department as well as standardizing the training for RADAR instruction. He received the Medal of Merit and the Medal of Service for his contributions.
He retired from the department in 1997 after teaching one last motors class. He accepted a position with the Tucson Marshals, a sub-unit of the police department. He continued providing service to the City of Tucson in this role until a second retirement in 2009.
He was active in his church and helped found Desert Hope Lutheran Church in 2010. Always a willing servant, he participated in the Agua Prieta Shelters ministry, the facilities team and the church leadership counsel.
Retirement offered him the opportunity to spend more time with his motorcycle passion. He earned the Iron Butt designation for riding over 1000 miles in 24 hours. He took trips annually that crossed the country as well as day tripping around southern Arizona. His total life time, recreational riding exceeded 300,000 miles. He belonged to numerous motorcycle organizations including the AMA, Blue Knights AZ IX (founding member), BMW Riders Association, South East Arizona Touring Riders (SEAT), and others.
In June 2011 he began volunteering at the Tucson Wildlife Center. He continued to serve in this capacity until his death.
In his retirement, he rekindled his interest in shooting sports and was a member of the Tucson Rifle Club. While not as enjoyable as motorcycling, the activity gave him the chance to connect and reconnect with like-minded friends.
On April 18, 2020 he passed away leaving behind his wife Patti, his four children, Michele Schwartz (husband Stuart), Wendy Osterhoudt (husband David), Todd Thibaut (wife Jessica) and Lorraine Early Thibaut, his grandchildren Alison Schwartz, Rachel Schwartz, Josh Osterhoudt, Emily Osterhoudt, Leia Thibaut, Luke Thibaut, and Ben Thibaut. Also left behind are his two sisters, Linda Brennan and Pam Honan (husband Tom) and his nephew, Casey Brennan. Stan was buried at East Lawn Cemetery in Tucson, AZ.
On Sunday April 18th many of Stan’s former co-workers from TPD and the Blue Knights met for a Memorial Ride to one of Stan’s favorite Restaurants in Globe, Irene’s Real Mexican Food. Twenty Riders on 14 bikes and one 4-wheeler headed to Globe. Below are a few pictures of the riders and the group of us having lunch at Irene’s.
POEMIf I should go tomorrow
It would never be goodbye
For I have left my heart with you
So don’t you ever cry
The love that;s deep within me
Shall reach you from the stars
You’ll feel it from the heavens
And it will heal the scars
It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I inform you of the passing of (retired) SCBPO Norman B. Nestlerode III, who died on March 19, 2021.
Mr. Nestlerode began his federal career in 1971 with the U.S. Air Force as a Law Enforcement Specialist with the K-9 division. Upon finishing with his four-year military commitment in 1975, he accepted a U.S. Customs Service, Dog Handler position at the Port of San Ysidro, California. In 1979, he was promoted to Supervisory Canine Officer and returned to Front Royal, Virginia, to obtain his instructor credentials. He then transferred to San Francisco, California, as a canine supervisor and worked both airport/seaport operations and also supported the Drug Enforcement Agency task force at San Francisco’s International Airport.
In 1986, Mr. Nestlerode transferred to Saudi Arabia as a U.S. Customs Service Regional Program Manager. A year later, he became an instructor at the Saudi Arabia Canine Training Facility, where his responsibilities included canine training involving narcotics, explosives, and weapons. After he completed his two-year commitment in Saudi Arabia, he transferred to the Los Angeles International Airport and the Long Beach waterfront. In 1989, he was promoted to the Southwest Regional Canine Program Manager, where his responsibilities included other enforcement programs. As well, he was involved in numerous Headquarters operations, such as Lockdown and Brass Ring.
In 1994, he transferred to the Port of Nogales as the Chief of the Canine Program. In 2002, he was selected by the Tucson Field Office (TFO) to have oversight of numerous enforcement programs. Four years later, he was promoted to Supervisory Program Manager where he oversaw various operational programs until his retirement in December 2011. Lastly, he served as a reemployed annuitant from 2015 to 2018 where he worked within TFO Recruitment and the Boston Field Office Trusted Traveler Program.
Mr. Nestlerode is survived by his wife Fay, daughters Leigh Ann and Kelly, and five grandchildren. Please keep Mr. Nestlerode’ s family, friends, and colleagues in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Below are pictures honoring Norm, his friends, and his family.
After a long hiatus BKAZIX, family, and friends finally got out for an afternoon ride. Seven Riders and six bikes met at the Shell Station I-10 & Wilmot. Those who attended were, Larry & Roxanne Klink from MN-IV, Scott Voigt, Steve Empey, Terry A, and yours truly. After leaving the Shell station we headed south on Wilmot we turned left onto Sahuarita Rd. From there we went south on 83 to Highway 82 in Sonoita, west to Elgin Road for a leisure ride through the wine vineyards before stopping at the Copper Brothel Brewery for lunch. After a nice lunch we all headed back to our respective homes. It was a warm balmy 70’s during our ride. When I returned home it was actually 79 degrees. Here are a few pictures from the ride.
