Aug 182021
 

It is with heavy heart that I announce the passing of Bill Daily recently after a short illness.  Condolences to his wife Jackie and family. 

I was recently with Bill & his wife Jackie for the WC/SW Conference in Prescott, Arizona July 7 – 11.  After returning home he mentioned to Jackie that he was having issues with his lower abdomen area.  He saw a doctor and ultimately went in for surgery only to pass away.  Bill has been a Blue Knights Family since 2005.  He was retired from the Arizona DPS.

Cards can be sent to the Daily residence.  If you do not have their address cards can be sent to our Chapter address which I will then forward:

Blue Knights AZ 9
C/O Bill Daily Family
P.O. Box 90944
Tucson, Az.  85742-0944

RWP

RoN Friend

Apr 212021
 

Obituary of Jack Stanley Thibaut, Jr.

Stan Thibaut was born in Marion, OH on a cold January day in 1948. The family moved to Rochester, NY when he was young and he grew up on Menard Dr. in Rochester. He attend high school in Greece, NY where he graduated in 1966.

He worked for a short time at Eastman Kodak then joined the Irondequoit Police Department. This began his career in a law enforcement. After 3 years of policing the Rochester suburb, he decided he wanted to live in retirement weather while he was young enough to enjoy it. He moved to Tucson in 1974 and began working for the Tucson Police Department. After working patrol and a few other assignments, he was accepted into the solo motor unit. He had been riding his own motorcycle to work and it was love at first ride. The progression of his professional career to Police Motors was a logical path.

He worked solo motors for 17 years. In that time he was instrumental in helping to develop the motors training course for the department as well as standardizing the training for RADAR instruction. He received the Medal of Merit and the Medal of Service for his contributions.

He retired from the department in 1997 after teaching one last motors class. He accepted a position with the Tucson Marshals, a sub-unit of the police department. He continued providing service to the City of Tucson in this role until a second retirement in 2009.

He was active in his church and helped found Desert Hope Lutheran Church in 2010. Always a willing servant, he participated in the Agua Prieta Shelters ministry, the facilities team and the church leadership counsel.

Retirement offered him the opportunity to spend more time with his motorcycle passion. He earned the Iron Butt designation for riding over 1000 miles in 24 hours. He took trips annually that crossed the country as well as day tripping around southern Arizona. His total life time, recreational riding exceeded 300,000 miles. He belonged to numerous motorcycle organizations including the AMA, Blue Knights AZ IX (founding member), BMW Riders Association, South East Arizona Touring Riders (SEAT), and others.

In June 2011 he began volunteering at the Tucson Wildlife Center. He continued to serve in this capacity until his death.

In his retirement, he rekindled his interest in shooting sports and was a member of the Tucson Rifle Club. While not as enjoyable as motorcycling, the activity gave him the chance to connect and reconnect with like-minded friends.

On April 18, 2020 he passed away leaving behind his wife Patti, his four children, Michele Schwartz (husband Stuart), Wendy Osterhoudt (husband David), Todd Thibaut (wife Jessica) and Lorraine Early Thibaut, his grandchildren Alison Schwartz, Rachel Schwartz, Josh Osterhoudt, Emily Osterhoudt, Leia Thibaut, Luke Thibaut, and Ben Thibaut. Also left behind are his two sisters, Linda Brennan and Pam Honan (husband Tom) and his nephew, Casey Brennan. Stan was buried at East Lawn Cemetery in Tucson, AZ.

Apr 212021
 

On Sunday April 18th many of Stan’s former co-workers from TPD and the Blue Knights met for a Memorial Ride to one of Stan’s favorite Restaurants in Globe, Irene’s Real Mexican Food.  Twenty Riders on 14 bikes and one 4-wheeler headed to Globe.  Below are a few pictures of the riders and the group of us having lunch at Irene’s.

Apr 202021
 

IN LOVING MEMORY

Norman B. Nestlerode III

03/07/1952 – 03/19/2021

POEM

If I should go tomorrow

It would never be goodbye

For I have left my heart with you

So don’t you ever cry

The love that;s deep within me

Shall reach you from the stars

You’ll feel it from the heavens

And it will heal the scars

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I inform you of the passing of (retired) SCBPO Norman B. Nestlerode III, who died on March 19, 2021. 

Mr. Nestlerode began his federal career in 1971 with the U.S. Air Force as a Law Enforcement Specialist with the K-9 division.  Upon finishing with his four-year military commitment in 1975, he accepted a U.S. Customs Service, Dog Handler position at the Port of San Ysidro, California.  In 1979, he was promoted to Supervisory Canine Officer and returned to Front Royal, Virginia, to obtain his instructor credentials.  He then transferred to San Francisco, California, as a canine supervisor and worked both airport/seaport operations and also supported the Drug Enforcement Agency task force at San Francisco’s International Airport. 

In 1986, Mr. Nestlerode transferred to Saudi Arabia as a U.S. Customs Service Regional Program Manager.  A year later, he became an instructor at the Saudi Arabia Canine Training Facility, where his responsibilities included canine training involving narcotics, explosives, and weapons.  After he completed his two-year commitment in Saudi Arabia, he transferred to the Los Angeles International Airport and the Long Beach waterfront. In 1989, he was promoted to the Southwest Regional Canine Program Manager, where his responsibilities included other enforcement programs.  As well, he was involved in numerous Headquarters operations, such as Lockdown and Brass Ring. 

In 1994, he transferred to the Port of Nogales as the Chief of the Canine Program. In 2002, he was selected by the Tucson Field Office (TFO) to have oversight of numerous enforcement programs.  Four years later, he was promoted to Supervisory Program Manager where he oversaw various operational programs until his retirement in December 2011.  Lastly, he served as a reemployed annuitant from 2015 to 2018 where he worked within TFO Recruitment and the Boston Field Office Trusted Traveler Program.  

Mr. Nestlerode is survived by his wife Fay, daughters Leigh Ann and Kelly, and five grandchildren. Please keep Mr. Nestlerode’ s family, friends, and colleagues in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. 

Below are pictures honoring Norm, his friends, and his family.

Jan 172021
 

After a long hiatus BKAZIX, family, and friends finally got out for an afternoon ride.  Seven Riders and six bikes met at the Shell Station I-10 & Wilmot.  Those who attended were, Larry & Roxanne Klink from MN-IV, Scott Voigt, Steve Empey, Terry A, and yours truly.  After leaving the Shell station we headed south on Wilmot we turned left onto Sahuarita Rd.  From there we went south on 83 to Highway 82 in Sonoita, west to Elgin Road for a leisure ride through the wine vineyards before stopping at the Copper Brothel Brewery for lunch.  After a nice lunch we all headed back to our respective homes.  It was a warm balmy 70’s during our ride.  When I returned home it was actually 79 degrees.  Here are a few pictures from the ride.

     

 

Nov 302020
 

It is with heavy heart that I announce the passing of BK NM-6 member Ed Rodarte.  He passed away from Covid-19.

Please keep him, his family, friends, and fellow Blue Knights in your thoughts and Prayers.

RWP my friend

RoN
Blue Knights AZ IX
Secretary/Treasurer
P.O Box 90944
Tucson, Az.  85752
www.blueknightsaz9.org
(Cell) 520-940-0564
(Fax) 954-208-1122
treasurer@blueknightsaz9.org

Nov 142020
 

On Saturday November 11th a few of the Blue Knights got together and did a lunch ride to the Copper Brothel Brewery in Sonoita.  Those who made the ride were Steve E., Terry A., Ken McC., Scott V., a friend of Terry’s named Rick, and yours truly.  After a great ride out I-10 Ken & I met up with the rest of the group at AZ 83.  Then on down to Sonoita we went.  When we got there we were NOT alone.  I counted a total of 25 motorcycles in the parking lot including ours.  There were members of ALR 123, 109, 23, and probably a few I missed.  After a great lunch and dessert Ken, Steve, and I headed west on 82 while Terry and his friends headed east on 83 to make a loop back to Vail.  Here are a few pictures of our afternoon lunch.

               

May 102020
 
                                         
     Stan receiving Award from Jan Blaser-Upchurch                                   Stan on his favorite toy
                                                                                                                   his TPD Motor

Obituary of Jack Stanley Thibaut, Jr.

Stan Thibaut was born in Marion, OH on a cold January day in 1948. The family moved to Rochester, NY when he was young and he grew up on Menard Dr. in Rochester. He attend high school in Greece, NY where he graduated in 1966.

He worked for a short time at Eastman Kodak then joined the Irondequoit Police Department. This began his career in a law enforcement. After 3 years of policing the Rochester suburb, he decided he wanted to live in retirement weather while he was young enough to enjoy it. He moved to Tucson in 1974 and began working for the Tucson Police Department. After working patrol and a few other assignments, he was accepted into the solo motor unit. He had been riding his own motorcycle to work and it was love at first ride. The progression of his professional career to Police Motors was a logical path.

He worked solo motors for 17 years. In that time he was instrumental in helping to develop the motors training course for the department as well as standardizing the training for RADAR instruction. He received the Medal of Merit and the Medal of Service for his contributions.

He retired from the department in 1997 after teaching one last motors class. He accepted a position with the Tucson Marshals, a subunit of the police department. He continued providing service to the City of Tucson in this role until a second retirement in 2009.

He was active in his church and helped found Desert Hope Lutheran Church in 2010. Always a willing servant, he participated in the Agua Prieta Shelters ministry, the facilities team and the church leadership counsel.

Retirement offered him the opportunity to spend more time with his motorcycle passion. He earned the Iron Butt designation for riding over 1000 miles in 24 hours. He took trips annually that crossed the country as well as day tripping around southern Arizona. His total life time, recreational riding exceeded 300,000 miles. He belonged to numerous motorcycle organizations including the AMA, Blue Knights AZ IX (founding member), BMW Riders Association, South East Arizona Touring Riders (SEAT), and others.

In June 2011 he began volunteering at the Tucson Wildlife Center. He continued to serve in this capacity until his death.

In his retirement, he rekindled his interest in shooting sports and was a member of the Tucson Rifle Club. While not as enjoyable as motorcycling, the activity gave him the chance to connect and reconnect with like minded friends.

On April 18, 2020 he passed away leaving behind his wife Patti, his four children, Michele Schwartz (husband Stuart), Wendy Osterhoudt (husband David), Todd Thibaut (wife Jessica) and Lorraine Early Thibaut, his grandchildren Alison Schwartz, Rachel Schwartz, Josh Osterhoudt, Emily Osterhoudt, Leia Thibaut, Luke Thibaut, and Ben Thibaut. Also left behind are his two sisters, Linda Brennan and Pam Honan (husband Tom) and his nephew, Casey Brennan. Stan was buried at East Lawn Cemetery in Tucson, AZ.

When gathering restrictions are lifted, a Celebration of Life will be held at Desert Hope Lutheran Church, 7474 E. Speedway.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made in Stan’s name to the 100 Club (https://www.100club.org), Tucson Hearts of Gold (tucsonheartsofgold.org), Agua Prieta Shelters (https://www.Apshelters.org) or the Tucson Wildlife Center (http://tucsonwildlife.com/).

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