A brief history of our Chapter...

In March of 1988, Richard Greer, an avid motorcycle enthusiast (and Chapter XV's first President), discovered the existence of the Blue Knight's International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Inc.  While attending a seminar on outlaw motorcycle gangs, he met two law enforcement officers who identified themselves as members of the Blue Knights. With their assistance, Rich researched the club's background and history. Finding that many local law enforcement officers in the area were motorcycle enthusiasts who would benefit from the fraternalism of the Blue Knight's organization, he began canvassing the Lake County area in hopes of finding other motorcyclists in the law enforcement field.  His desire was to find individuals who were interested in joining an organized motorcycle group, and to incorporate this group into an international law enforcement organization already in existence, the Blue Knights' International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Inc, who were at that time were approximately 8000 members strong.  Starting with 15 members, they became chartered as the Lake County Chapter, Ohio XV of the Blue Knights' Organization in May of 1988.

The first elected officers were President Rich Greer, Vice-President Mark Laccheo, Secretary Bill Murphy, Treasurer Dave Harvey, and Delegate Jack Donahue. The other 10 charter members (by last name) were Angelo, Blake, Brettreger, Dodaro, Demico, Duncan, Garbo, Messina, Overstreet, and Willis, representing the following police departments: Eastlake, Kirtland, Kirtland Hills, Mentor, East Cleveland, and Lyndhurst. The Chapter's first organized meeting was held in June of 1988, and the remainder of 1988 was spent setting up the chapter's protocol and policies. In 1989, Chapter officers remained the same, with the addition of Pat Willis as another Delegate. In February of 1989, the chapter swore in it's first Honorary member, Skip Nason.  March of 1989 brought discussions of charitable events the chapter would sponsor; followed by the organization of a toy run to take place in September of 1989 for a charity yet to be named. In April of 1989 a designated chapter vest, colors, and dress uniform for participation in parades as a chapter, was adopted.

Early in June of 1989, tragedy struck our chapter. Mark Laccheo, the chapter's first Vice-President, died from a massive heart attack at the age of 36. In honor of Mark Laccheo, our September Toy Run was renamed "The Mark Laccheo Memorial Run" and is held by our Chapter annually each September. The first annual Mark Laccheo Memorial Run went off as scheduled with approximately 136 motorcycles on a rainy overcast day.  $1500.00 was collected for our fallen brother's family as well as four large boxes of toys that were donated to the Lake County Salvation Army.  Since this first charitable event, our Lake County Chapter, Ohio XV, has sponsored and co-sponsored an average of four charitable events each year; bringing together thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts, and donating thousands of dollars and goods to charitable organizations in northeast Ohio area for the love of motorcycling and our communities.

In 2008, the Mark Laccheo Memorial Run raised over $2,000 which was donated to Camp Ho Mita Koda for camperships for children with Diabetes.

Our chapter now consists of 30 members who also enjoy riding and fellowship with other Blue Knights' throughout the continent and the world.

Email: Blue Knights OH XV