Blue Knights Indiana VIII

01/13/2026

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas. Christ is born!

Stogie

12/19/2025

IMPORTANT UPDATE

12/18/2025

To the Hoosier Harley-Davidson Family,

On behalf of the Blue Knights Indiana VIII Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the friendship, support, and genuine kindness you have shown us over the years.

Hoosier Harley-Davidson has never been just a dealership to us. It has been a place where riders were welcomed, friendships were built, and the law enforcement motorcycle family truly felt at home. Your support of our annual Riding to Remember Fallen Police, Firefighters, and Veterans ride has been deeply meaningful, not just to our chapter, but to the families and communities we ride to honor.

Your generosity has reached far beyond our own organization. Through your continued financial support of children, the elderly, public safety members, veterans, and countless community causes, you have made a real difference in many lives. Hoosier Harley-Davidson and the Saputo family will be deeply missed, and the hole you leave in our community will not be easily filled.

As this chapter comes to a close, please know that your legacy lives on in the miles we have ridden together, the stories we continue to tell, and the impact you have had on so many people. Those memories will stay with us every time we throw a leg over a bike.

Thank you for standing beside us, believing in our mission, and treating the Blue Knights Indiana VIII like family. We wish you nothing but the very best as you begin the next chapter of your journey.

Ride safe, and thank you for everything.

With respect, gratitude, and brotherhood,

Blue Knights Indiana VIII
Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club

11/27/2025

“The Turkey Who Wanted to Ride”

Somewhere between an Indiana cornfield and a county road where nobody ever admits speeding, there lived a turkey.

This turkey wasn’t like the other turkeys. While his flock spent their days nervously waddling around hoping they wouldn’t become someone’s dinner, this turkey spent his time staring at the road, listening for that familiar rumble of motorcycles.

One cold November morning, the unmistakable sound of several Blue Knights Indiana VIII Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club members rolled through the countryside on an early holiday charity ride. The turkey marched right up to the fence line, puffed out his feathers, and gobbled loud enough to compete with a set of open pipes.

That’s when Sergeant-at-Arms Jeff “Re-Run” Ranberger hit the brakes followed by the other members.

Re-Run took off his helmet, looked down at the determined turkey, and said:
“Buddy… you’ve got more heart than some riders we've patched in.”

Naturally, the Knights did what Knights do with an affirmative nod by their President, Jim "Stogie" Ballard, they made room for their new prospect, Throttle the Turkey.

Throttle hopped onto Re-Run’s tank like he’d been riding for years. The group rolled out, and for the first time in poultry history, a turkey was clocked doing highway speeds without flapping a single wing. Barns shook. Cows stared. A farmer dropped his rake.

From that day forward, Throttle became the official morale turkey of Blue Knights Indiana VIII. And Thanksgiving stopped being a day of fear for him, because nobody in this club is carving up a Blue Knight nicknamed turkey.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Blue Knights Indiana VIII Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club

Ride safe, stay grateful, and know that I’m thankful for each and every one of you.

Much love, respect, and Blue Knight pride

10/31/2025

🎃 Happy Halloween, Blue Knights Family! 👻

Wishing all my Blue Knight brothers, sisters, and our incredible supporters a ghoulishly safe and spirited Halloween!

Whether you're out haunting the roads on two wheels or handing out treats at home, may your night be filled with:

Safe rides
Strong fellowship
Good fun
👻 And just the right amount of fright!

Remember, even on the spookiest night of the year, we stand watch for each other and our communities. Ride safe, look out for the little ghosts and goblins out there, and have a spook-tacular Halloween!

In Brotherhood & Service,

Blue Knight Forever / Forever Blue Knight

10/03/2025

We couldn’t have done this without our first six sponsors—HomeWorks Construction & Remodeling, Patrick Industries, Blue Knights, LH Home Services & Construction LLC, Friends of Local Police, and Alexander Brazilian Jiu Jitsu—and the Elkhart Career Center students. Your support made key upgrades and kicked off our scenario house and classroom build, directly strengthening first-responder training in Elkhart County.

LH Home Services and Construction LLC Alexander Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Elkhart Area Career Center Friends of Local Police Elkhart County Community Foundation of Elkhart County Blue Knights Indiana VIII Elkhart Police Department Goshen Police Department Elkhart County Sheriff's Office

09/02/2025

On Sunday, September 7th, 2025, the 27th Annual Riding to Remember Fallen Police, Firefighters, and Veterans Charity Motorcycle Ride will take place, honoring those who have given their lives in service to our communities and country. This long-standing Michiana tradition supports local children, the elderly, veterans, and public safety organizations, bringing together hundreds of riders and supporters from across the region.

The event is expected to draw 700 to 1,100 motorcyclists, forming a continuous procession that will travel through several Elkhart County communities. Traffic delays of 20 to 30 minutes are anticipated along the route as the ride progresses.

𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 – 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟔𝐭𝐡
Join us for the Pre-Ride Party at Hoosier Harley-Davidson (720 W. Bristol Street, Elkhart, IN) on Saturday, September 6th, from 12 PM to 8 PM, with live music and food from 4 to 8 PM. Riders and the public are invited to enjoy food, music, merchandise, and camaraderie as we gear up for the big ride. Event sponsors and vendors will be on-site, and it’s a great time to register early in person from 12 to 8 PM or pick up your commemorative t-shirt if pre-registered.

𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞 & 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞 – 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟕𝐭𝐡
• Registration: Day of event, 9-11:30 AM at Hoosier Harley-Davidson
• Memorial Service, Reading of Fallen Names, and Rider Safety Briefing: 11:30 AM-12:15 PM
• Kickstands Up: 12:30 PM
• The ride will travel through Wakarusa, Nappanee, Goshen, and Middlebury.
• The ride concludes around 2 PM at the Middlebury American Legion Post 210 at 103 York Drive in Middlebury. Motorcycle parking is available at Lozier Inc. at 215 York Drive, directly across from the Legion.

Public safety agencies along the route will provide traffic control to ensure safe and continuous passage.

𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Pre-registration is now closed – All pre-registered riders and passengers are guaranteed commemorative t-shirts.

Early Online Pre-Registration: Visit www.BlueKnightsIN8.org and click “Register to Ride.” The deadline is Saturday, September 6th at 8 PM.

Early In-Person Registration (Cash Only) through Saturday, September 6th, at:
• Hoosier Harley-Davidson
• North End Cycle (2426 Cassopolis Street in Elkhart) until close of business

Ride Day Registration: Available 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM at Hoosier Harley-Davidson.

𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 — 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭!
We invite residents and community groups to line the route in patriotic support. Waving flags, displaying banners, and standing in unity show appreciation for our fallen heroes and those who continue to serve.

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 – 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐲
Introducing the Riding to Remember Traveling Trophy, awarded to the Most Patriotic City or Town along the route, chosen by popular vote of participating motorcyclists. Communities are encouraged to go all out with Garrison flags, patriotic displays, and public turnout in support of this friendly competition.

Motorists should plan alternate routes due to expected delays. Public safety partners will assist with traffic control throughout the event.

For more information, visit BlueKnightsIN8.org or contact James “Stogie” Ballard at 574-360-7152.

➡️ ROUTE INFO IN COMMENTS ⬅️

08/18/2025

The 8th Annual Rabbott’s Rosie Ride is back and bigger than ever—this high-impact motorcycle poker run is dedicated to supporting medically fragile children and their families through the one-of-a-kind respite care provided by A Rosie Place for Children.