Riding for a Cause: Blue Knights Honor Fallen Officer Jaime Padron​

SAN ANGELO, TX –As is becoming tradition, Chapter 35 of the Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club will be hosting its 4^th Annual Jaime Padron Ironbutt Run. For this year's event, riders will be completing a 1,052-mile trip in less than 24 hours as they ride for a cause. The funds raised will be divided between three nonprofit organizations that support the families of law enforcement officers in different areas. 

Officer Padron was a dedicated law enforcement official who tragically lost his life on the line of duty in 2012 while in service of the Austin Police Department. Padron served the San Angelo community for 14 years before relocating, and is described as a “hometown hero” who was “passionate about his job and passionate about his community.” His dedication to higher education is one of the reasons the Blue Knights opted for creating a scholarship fund through the San Angelo Area Foundation in memory of Officer Padron that is open to any dependents of an active or retired law enforcement officials in Tom Green County.

The event will be taking place during the early morning hours on Saturday where riders will have the opportunity to register to be a part of the Ironbutt Run. Those who are interested will need to provide a $100 registration fee that will go towards the fundraiser goal. Late registration for the event will began at 6:30 a.m.; currently, there are 21 riders signed up for the event.

The riders will travel from the Padron Park, located at 2700 Ben Ficklin Rd, then on to Brady, Lampasas, Fredericksburg, to I-20 near Pecos then on to Cisco. From there, they will be returning down I-20 and onto Brownwood and ending the ride at Padron Park. The complete travel plans can be accessed here. For community members who would like to donate but are unable to participate in the ride, they can access the San Angelo Area Foundation website and donate online to the scholarship.

Since its creation, the Ironbutt Run and other events have allowed the Blue Knights to raise over $25,0000. The direct link to donate via web can be found here.

This year the officers will also be providing parts of the donations to two other clubs, part of the Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS), that have clubs in South Texas and Colorado. The Colorado club is currently aiding the daughters of Officer Padron since they relocated to that area.

The president of Chapter 35, Officer Brian Bylsma, invites all seasoned riders who would like to participate, and asks that riders take into consideration that this is not a ride for the average rider. The trip must be completed in less than 24 hours and most riders average close to 19 hours. Weather and unexpected occurrences can delay the trip, but he reminds all the riders that the trip can be completed in enough time if they drive the speed limit and take the necessary safety precautions to ensure safety.

“This is not about speed; it’s about endurance,” Bylsma said.

Byslma would also like to reiterate that this event is not only to honor the “officer who fell in the line of duty, but to remember the man himself.” Chapter 35 also plans to increase its efforts to honor the memory of Sergeant Korby Kennedy.

The Blue Knights Chapter can be contacted at [email protected].  The pre-registration form for the ride can be accessed here. For any additional information about the Blue Knights or upcoming events, please visit blueknightstexas35.com.