Benefit ride for injured officer set

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Benefit ride for injured officer set

Around Osceola

Wednesday, 24 August 2011 00:00

By Sam Gilkey
For The News-Gazette
The local chapter of the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club will sponsor a two-hour ride Sunday to benefit St. Cloud Police Officer Jon Colley, who was injured while responding to a three-car crash on 13th Street earlier this year.
Colley, 24, had just reached the scene of the crash when a driver failed to see his motorcycle lights or hear his siren and turned in front of him.
“I remember everything about the crash,” Colley said. “I was thrown 116 feet and landed in a parking lot. Fortunately, the rescue unit was right behind me. They flew me to Orlando Regional hospital and I spent five days there.”
As he recovers from several broken bones, Colley, who has been on the St. Cloud Police force for four years, said he works with a therapist several times during the week, “and they say I’m doing good.”
It may be several months before he can return to duty. He is being paid a portion of his salary and that has put a strain on his finances.
That’s where the Blue Knights, Chapter 29, has stepped in.
“We are looking to raise a substantial amount for Jon,” club President Don Schaefer said. “Registration will begin at 8 a.m. in the parking lot of the police department on Neptune Road. When the lot fills up, we will use the space in front of Tractor Supply. The ride is open to anyone with a cycle. The fee is $20 and that includes a lunch at noon after the ride.
“We hope people who don’t ride will also stop by and donate to the fund. We are starting to get contributions from other chapters in the U.S. and other countries and got $100 a few weeks ago from a Blue Knights club in New Zealand.”
Schaefer said the ride will be escorted by local law enforcement agencies and head south down Canoe Creek Road to Kenansville, then north to Holopaw. Once the riders get back to St. Cloud, they will travel west on Rummel Road to the St. Cloud lakefront, then to Brown Chapel Road and Neptune Road to the police headquarters.
“After lunch, we will have several door prizes donated by local businesses, to giveaway,” he said, “and make the check presentation to Officer Colley.”
The Blue Knights is a nonprofit fraternal organization consisting of active and retired law enforcement men and women who enjoy riding motorcycles. It was formed in 1974 and now has 600 chapters and 20,000-plus members in 24 countries. The local chapter, formed six years ago, has 44 members.
“Our people go a step above and beyond,” Schaefer said. “Last year the chapter gave $6,200 to local charities, including $5,000 to Give Kids The World.”
Colley, who had been a motorcycle officer with the St. Cloud Police for a year and a half before the accident, said, “I hate being the center of attention. But this is wonderful that so many people are putting this effort out for me.”
A registration form for the ride as well as how donations may be made through PayPal is available at: www.blue
knightsfl29.com.