Motorcycle Enthusiasts Invited to Ride 1,000 Miles on Saturday in Honor of Fallen Officer

The rumble of motorcycles will echo through the Jaime Padron Memorial Park at 7 a.m. on Saturday, where members of the local Blue Knights chapter will gather with motorcycle enthusiasts from the community before embarking on a 1,000-mile Iron Butt Run.

The ride, which seeks to honor the memory of former San Angelo police officer Jaime Padron, is open to all who want to participate that have not been convicted of a felony and are not a member of an outlaw motorcycle group.

Padron, an officer, rider and advocate of education, was killed in the line of duty on April 6, 2012 in Austin. For years he served on the San Angelo Police Department as a patrol officer and member of the gang unit, before transferring to Travis County, where he was killed.

Officer Brian Bylsma, President of the local chapter of the Blue Knights, a motorcycle club comprised of past and present law enforcement officers, once worked as Padron’s partner on the San Angelo gang unit.

Since his death, Bylsma and other local officers have worked diligently each year at hosting events meant to keep Padron’s memory alive.

“The significance [of the ride] is being able to honor the man that was basically a civil servant, that dedicated his life to serving the public, and also the fact that he dedicated his life towards his education,” Bylsma said.

In order to keep Padron’s name alive, Bylsma and the Blue Knights have created a scholarship fund in Jaime Padron’s name that will be awarded to a child of a law enforcement officer in Tom Green County on an annual basis.

The $1,000 scholarship is being coordinated with the Area Foundation and will be awarded for the first time this year.

Parties interested in participating in the Iron Butt run are invited to go out to Jaime Padron Memorial Park at 2700 Ben Ficklin Road on Saturday morning. Registration begins at 7 a.m., with the first group departing at 8 a.m.

A $100 donation covers an official certificate, pin and plate from the Iron Butt Association, as well as a donation to the scholarship fund. Those who are interested in donating but who are not necessarily motorcycle enthusiasts may do so by visiting the Area Foundation website and selecting the Jaime Padron Scholarship Fund.