On Sunday, March 3, 2019, members of Thin Blue Line LE MC participated in the Ride for Abigail.
Abigail is a 6-year old little girl who is fighting terminal cancer. Her wish was to become a police officer. Freeport Police Department, Freeport TX swore her in as an Honorary Police Officer. The Texas Rangers also made Abigail an Honorary Texas Ranger.
Fight the fight Abigail!
TBL Lonestar was presented with a letter of appreciation at the January 2019 Meeting from the Baytown Municipal Police Association for their generous donation and sponsorship of the 2018 BMPA Helping-A-Hero benefit.
A joint fundraiser with Central Texas HD (CTH), TMPA, and the OAG Association was held at CTH for Texas OAG Captain Wes Hensley, who was shot 9 times during a felony warrant execution in Harris County
TBL LEMC ATX Chapter attended and provided a check to the TOAG Association for $1,000. The money was a small part from the chapter funds but mostly from chapter member’s private pockets. I could not be more proud of the members of TBL ATX Chapter at last minute notice they dropped what they were doing and within 30 minutes had raised $1,000 to help this Texas Guardian of the Thin Blue Line. ATX Chapter members got to meet Captain Hensley’s children and learned that the Captain is doing well and in good spirits. I expressed to his children that their father has the fighting spirit of a true Texas Peace Officer Hero.
The TOAG Association President advised me that there is an upcoming fundraiser in Houston very soon.
2018 was an exciting year for Thin Blue Line LE MC. We were busy in our communities and helping others. Our year is always packed with various benefits and fundraisers for our first responders and community services. There is never a dull moment in this Club – we participate in as many benefits and events that our time allows.
We have annual participation in Back the Badge Ride; Texas Association of First Responders Wild Game Cook-off, Ride for the Fallen in Austin TX; Joey Barraza Memorial Ride in El Paso; Taking children to the Houston Rodeo; Bikes for Excellence; 4th of July parades across the community; Watermelon Run for the Fallen; Brazos Valley Annual 9/11 ride; Thin Blue Line Foundation Fajita Cook-off/fundraiser; Lonestar Rally, and Christmas shopping and toy drives in various communities.
A few highlights from the year that the Club participated in are:
Benefit for Officer Nestor Garcia who was hit by a car during a traffic stop.
Check presentation to Officer Nick Tullier, who was one of the Deputies shot on July 17th, 2016, in the ambush on Police Officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was shot 3 times, in the abdomen, shoulder and head. He is still recovering.
Houston Police Family Support Unit BBQ Fundraiser – The Houston Police Family Support Unit is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the Houston Police Officers and their families in the event of a line-of-duty injury.
After the devastating shooting at Santa Fe High School, the Galveston chapter of Thin Blue Line LE MC, coordinated a benefit for the community.
With the help of Relentless Defender Apparel, t-shirts were made and sold, with 100% of the proceeds going to the benefit.
On May 25th, a few members of the Galveston Chapter rode to UTMB Galveston to donate blood for the victims of the Santa Fe shooting. We also visited Officer Barnes that was confined in Jeanie Sealy Hospital.
TBL sisters assisting with registration during the Benefit at the Garage in Alvin.
Our TBL Nation President Rico leading the Police Escorted Benefit Ride
On August 24th, we distributed 100% of the proceeds from the ride Benefit totaling $19,724.90 to multiple surviving victims of the Santa Fe tragedy. We could not have done this without the support of our TBL brothers and sisters from all chapters.
Members of the Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club presented William Skeen of the 100 Club with $8,800.00. The money was raised April 14, 2018 at the annual Back the Badge Ride & Rally. The Back the Badge event started in 2007 and is presented by the Thin Blue Line LEMC and sponsored by Houston attorney Jim Walker (www.WalkerTexasLawyer.com).
Seen in the photo are William Skeen (Director of the 100 Club), Jim Walker (signature sponsor), Rico Garcia (TBL LEMC National President), Ed “Bullet” Lascano (TBL LEMC Lone Star Chapter President and ride director), Bryan “Promo” Miller (founder of Back the Badge/TBL LEMC member), and members of the TBL LEMC Nation.
Highlights of 2017 in pictures.
Thin Blue Line LE MC is now International.
We welcome Australia to the Thin Blue Line Nation!
We also want to welcome our first Illinois Chapter – in Chicago – remember, there is no noise in Illinois!
With heavy hearts, and candles in hand, over 100 people gathered at Evelyn’s park in Bellaire to remember a fallen officer.
“Marco was a heartbeat in our department and to see the outpouring of people showing up was amazing. It meant a lot to all of us,” Sgt. Anthony Hefferin with the Bellaire Police Department said.
Several officers from local law enforcement, along with family and friends came together for a vigil in memory of Officer Marco Antonio Zarate who was killed in the line of duty.
This time last year, Zarate had pulled over two shoplifting suspects in Meyerland Plaza, but they took off and led him on a chase.
Zarate died after crashing into a parked trailer.
“When an officer dies in the line of duty protecting the people that they serve, it’s a very solemn event,” Rico Garcia, the national president of Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, said.
“This is been a year of firsts for the family. First Christmas and birthday without their father, so this has been a year of healing and understanding,” Chief Byron Holloway, with the Bellaire Police Department, said.https://2d57ac08973789c01fe732b54a5b1761.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
The 52-year-old former Marine and seven-year veteran of the force, left behind a wife and three daughters.
Although Zarate is gone, he’s certainly not forgotten.
Wednesday night, a community reflected on the great memories.
“We’re a family so when something like this happens we just band together and try to heal together,” Hefferin said.
“We join to make a difference. And that’s what he died for. He wanted to make a difference, and he’ll always make a difference with us because well never forget him,” Garcia said.
Video: https://www.click2houston.com/news/2017/07/13/vigil-held-for-bellaire-officer-killed-one-year-ago/
On April 23, 2017, Thin Blue Line LE MC presented both Officer Ronny Cortez and Officer Jose Munoz a check for $43,798.72 to assist them and their families with their needs after being shot in the line of duty.
Each officer also branded a wooden board with “TBL” and signed by all members present. Thin Blue Line LE MC is thankful for everyone in the community who helped to make this happen.
