Tampa Bay Defenders LE M/C Chapter
Support John Walsh and the True American Heroes Ride

Saturday, February 23, 2008 the Defenders Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club demonstrated their support of John Walsh and the crew of America's Most Wanted at the True American Heroes Ride in Sarasota, Florida. Members from all over the state made the journey to Sarasota to participate.

Many had to get up long before dawn and travel through the night to get to this event. Brothers from most of the Florida Chapters were in attendance. The weather in the morning was clear and warm, but as the day progressed the skies became darker and more foreboding. Many of us got caught in torrential downpours on our rides home.

The Defenders MC had a total of 105 Brothers and motorcycles attend the ride.  We exceeded attendance over the Blue Knights who was one of the prime sponsors.  Defenders Colors were a major standout at the event.   We got to see and hear John Walsh following a 2 hour, 46 mile run escorted by the Sheriff's Department.  A good part of the run was through a park near Sarasota which was FANTASTIC and beautiful.  No red lights or stops which was nice.  The BBQ lunch following was great as well as was the live music. 

John Walsh has long been a friend of law enforcement all over this nation. It was a great pleasure to help in his campaign to clean up America's streets of the criminal element and show our support of all law enforcement in this effort. It was an honor to ride with John Walsh and a great pleasure to see so many of our brothers and sisters not only from the Defenders, but from all law enforcement groups and clubs. Special thanks go out to Sprint/Nextel for sponsoring this event.

A slide show of the event can be found here.

A video of the event can be seen here.

Photographs by brothers Paladin, Shamrock and Saint.