Jacksonville Defenders Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club

In an email from “Doc” Pres. CFL  Chapter

It is with considerable regret that I announce the passing of fellow Defender John “Chaser” Schlichting.  He passed away this afternoon, 01-19-2010, after a long and hard fight with cancer (Renal Cell Carcinoma).   He was fairly young having not yet reached age 50.  His wife “Keep Order” is an Associate member of the Defenders. 

Chaser joined the Tampa Bay Chapter in 2007 and retired the same year from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office where he had served as a Deputy Sheriff.

In 2008, Chaser was a founding member of the Central Florida Chapter of the Defenders.

Chaser was first diagnosed with cancer on December 22, 2007 and was advised that he had only 3 months to live.  As we would have expected, he fought back and did not allow a physician to dictate the length of his life.  Unfortunately, he contracted the flu in August 2009 and his health began to decline from the complications.

 Please keep Chaser’s family in your thoughts and prayers.

Please keep Deputy Anderson, SJSO, his family, and his brothers and sisters at SJSO in your thoughts and prayers. 

His life was cut short by someone driving the wrong way on SR 9A.   

Semper Fi

http://www.news4jax.com/news/22251612/detail.html/

From the Knoxville Chapter:

One of our members “Shifter” and associate “Red” were getting married tonight in Maryville, Tn (Near where we had the natl. pres. mtg). The ceremony began at 2000 and about 12 or so of our members were to meet on Alcoa Hwy (US 129) at 1900 to ride to the wedding together. We were on our bikes and wearing our colors to the ceremony. While en-route to the meeting location, I began to feel my phone constantly vibrating due to texts and calls and Knew something was wrong. When I got to Alcoa Hwy, traffic was at a dead stop and I could see Blue lights ahead in the distance near where we were all to meet. Since traffic was stopped, I had the oppotunity to check the phone and learned it was RIVER who was in the accident up ahead. I hit the shoulder and rode up to the scene. Our Commander, “De-Law” was already there. He had been with River all day. They had spent the day riding and had logged about 250 miles before heading to the meeting location. De-Law was riding behind River as they approached the meeting location on their right. They missed the turn and went a short distance down the road, made a U turn and started back. This time, the meeting location would be on their left. River went over to the far left in to what he thought was the turning lane and struck the concrete median which was practically invisible at night. The damn thing shouldn’t even be there. It looks like the entire middle of the road is a turn lane. His bike went airborne and flipped end over end several times. De-Law was witness to the whole thing and said the bike landed on top of River at least once. When De-law got off and ran up to him, River was unconscious. He came to shortly and was talking and coherent but in pain and complaining he couldn’t breathe. River removed his own helmet and tried to get up but De-law made him lie still while 2 off duty nurses came to his aide. After he got loaded into the ambulance, he coded and they were never able to get him back. Even though he was wearing a full face helmet, the impact was too severe and he died from head trauma. We all went to the University of Tn medical center ER and sent someone to get River’s wife. Once she arrived, we were given the news that he didn’t make it. River has a daughter and a step-daughter. He worked at Wackenhut in Oak Ridge and was a retired army Drill Instructor. River’s colors were practically shredded. His vest was ripped off him in the crash and ripped into 2 pieces.

R.I.P River

Patriot Guard:

Last night, (11/06/09) Tennessee lost another one of her Great American Hero’s, Raymond “River” Campbell, of Knoxville, TN.  “River” was retired from the United States Army, he was also part of the Defenders Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club in Knoxville.  He was on his bike getting ready to meet others from his group to attend a wedding of a club member.  His accident occured on the Alcoa Highway.  “River” will continue to save lives and enhance lives through his gifts of life.

Let us all remember to keep River & his family in our thoughts and prayers.  Rest In Peace Brother!

Florida drivers beware!

Traffic fines have increased. In Duval County, the fine for running a red light is now $214.00 WOW!

Be careful out there people! AND

ALWAYS WATCH FOR MOTORCYCLES!

Read an article here

322.12  Examination of applicants.–

¹(5)(a)  The department shall formulate a separate examination for applicants for licenses to operate motorcycles. Any applicant for a driver’s license who wishes to operate a motorcycle, and who is otherwise qualified, must successfully complete such an examination, which is in addition to the examination administered under subsection (3). The examination must test the applicant’s knowledge of the operation of a motorcycle and of any traffic laws specifically relating thereto and must include an actual demonstration of his or her ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motorcycle. Any applicant who fails to pass the initial knowledge examination will incur a $5 fee for each subsequent examination, to be deposited into the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund. Any applicant who fails to pass the initial skills examination will incur a $10 fee for each subsequent examination, to be deposited into the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund. In the formulation of the examination, the department shall consider the use of the Motorcycle Operator Skills Test and the Motorcycle in Traffic Test offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. The department shall indicate on the license of any person who successfully completes the examination that the licensee is authorized to operate a motorcycle. If the applicant wishes to be licensed to operate a motorcycle only, he or she need not take the skill or road test required under subsection (3) for the operation of a motor vehicle, and the department shall indicate such a limitation on his or her license as a restriction. Every first-time applicant for licensure to operate a motorcycle who is under 21 years of age must provide proof of completion of a motorcycle safety course, as provided for in s. 322.0255, before the applicant may be licensed to operate a motorcycle.

(b)  The department may exempt any applicant from the examination provided in this subsection if the applicant presents a certificate showing successful completion of a course approved by the department, which course includes a similar examination of the knowledge and skill of the applicant in the operation of a motorcycle.

(5)(a)  The department shall formulate a separate examination for applicants for licenses to operate motorcycles. Any applicant for a driver’s license who wishes to operate a motorcycle, and who is otherwise qualified, must successfully complete such an examination, which is in addition to the examination administered under subsection (3). The examination must test the applicant’s knowledge of the operation of a motorcycle and of any traffic laws specifically relating thereto and must include an actual demonstration of his or her ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motorcycle. Any applicant who fails to pass the initial knowledge examination will incur a $5 fee for each subsequent examination, to be deposited into the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund. Any applicant who fails to pass the initial skills examination will incur a $10 fee for each subsequent examination, to be deposited into the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund. In the formulation of the examination, the department shall consider the use of the Motorcycle Operator Skills Test and the Motorcycle in Traffic Test offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. The department shall indicate on the license of any person who successfully completes the examination that the licensee is authorized to operate a motorcycle. If the applicant wishes to be licensed to operate a motorcycle only, he or she need not take the skill or road test required under subsection (3) for the operation of a motor vehicle, and the department shall indicate such a limitation on his or her license as a restriction. Every first-time applicant for licensure to operate a motorcycle must provide proof of completion of a motorcycle safety course, as provided for in s. 322.0255, before the applicant may be licensed to operate a motorcycle.

When we last left our unwitting Taser Tester, he had just pulled the trigger…

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD . . . WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION . .. . WHAT THE HELL!!!

I’m pretty sure Jessie Ventura ran in through the side door, picked me up in the recliner, then body slammed us both on the carpet, over and over and over again.

I vaguely recall waking up on my side in the fetal position, with tears in my eyes, body soaking wet, both nipples on fire, testicles nowhere to be found, with my left arm tucked under my body in the oddest position, and tingling in my legs?

The cat was making meowing sounds I had never heard before, clinging to a picture frame hanging above the fireplace, obviously in an attempt to avoid getting slammed by my body flopping all over the living room.

Note: If you ever feel compelled to ‘mug’ yourself with a taser, one note of caution: there is no such thing as a one second burst when you zap yourself!You will not let go of that thing until it is dislodged from your hand by a violent thrashing about on the floor. A three second burst would be considered conservative?

SON-OF-A-BITCH, THAT HURT LIKE HELL!!!

A minute or so later (I can’t be sure, as time was a relative thing at that point), I collected my wits (what little I had left), sat up and surveyed the landscape.

My bent reading glasses were on the mantel of the fireplace. The recliner was upside down and about 8 feet or so from where it originally was. My triceps, right thigh and both nipples were still twitching.

My face felt like it had been shot up with Novocain, and my bottom lip weighed 88 lbs. I had no control over the drooling.

Apparently I shit myself, but was too numb to know for sure and my sense of smell was gone. I saw a faint smoke cloud above my head which I believe came from my hair.

I’m still looking for my nuts and I’m offering a significant reward for their safe return!!

P. S. My wife loved the gift, and now regularly threatens me with it!

‘If you think Education is difficult, try being stupid.’

So, there I sat in a pair of shorts and a tank top with my reading glasses perched delicately on the bridge of my nose, directions in one hand, and taser in another.

The directions said that a one-second burst would shock and disorient your assailant; a two-second burst was supposed to cause muscle spasms and a major loss of bodily control; a three-second burst would purportedly make your assailant flop on the ground like a fish out of water. Any burst longer than three seconds would be wasting the batteries.

All the while I’m looking at this little device measuring about 5” long, less than 3/4 inch in circumference; pretty cute really and (loaded with two itsy, bitsy triple-A batteries) thinking to myself, ‘no possible way!’

What happened next is almost beyond description, but I’ll do my best…?

I’m sitting there alone, Gracie looking on with her head cocked to one side as to say, ‘don’t do it dipshit,’ reasoning that a one second burst from such a tiny little ole thing couldn’t hurt all that bad. I decided to give myself a one second burst just for heck of it. I touched the prongs to my naked thigh, pushed the button, and …

Wow… Tune in tomorrow to see the hysterical conclusion!

Pocket Taser Stun Gun, a great gift for the wife. A guy who purchased his lovely wife a pocket Taser for their anniversary submitted this:

Last weekend I saw something at Larry’s Pistol & Pawn Shop that sparked my interest.. The occasion was our 15th anniversary and I was looking for a little something extra for my wife Julie.

What I came across was a 100,000-volt, pocket/purse-sized taser. The effects of the taser were supposed to be short lived, with no long-term adverse affect on your assailant, allowing her adequate time to retreat to safety….??

WAY TOO COOL!

Long story short, I bought the device and brought it home. I loaded two AAA batteries in the darn thing and pushed the button. Nothing! I was disappointed. I learned, however, that if I pushed the button AND pressed it against a metal surface at the same time; I’d get the blue arc of electricity darting back and forth between the prongs.

 AWESOME!!!

Unfortunately, I have yet to explain to Julie what that burn spot is on the face of her microwave.

Okay, so I was home alone with this new toy, thinking to myself that it couldn’t be all that bad with only two triple-A batteries, right?

There I sat in my recliner, my cat Gracie looking on intently (trusting little soul) while I was reading the directions and thinking that I really needed to try this thing out on a flesh & blood moving target.

I must admit I thought about zapping Gracie (for a fraction of a second) and thought better of it. She is such a sweet cat.

But, if I was going to give this thing to my wife to protect herself against a mugger, I did want some assurance that it would work as advertised.

Am I wrong?

So your brain is thinking… Holy Mackeral, I know what is going to happen…

You will have to come back tomorrow to catch Part 2…

With the winter season now upon us bringing both shorter and colder days/nights, coupled with the heightened chance for riding in and/or through inclement weather conditions.  Each member should ensure that they are fully prepared for these potential situations when planning for a club ride.

The February ride south to Lakeland Florida isn’t that far off at this planning point. For those members that made the last journey southwards, we still remember the extremely bad nighttime weather condition that made for a very difficult ride back to Jacksonville, (Note: When on the back roads there’s not always a place to stop, you just have to ride it out safely).

With that said, I know that a few of you like to travel light and thats great. However, it’s dangerous enough riding as a group on the back roads with foul weather conditions so let’s not add to the hazard by being cold and wet, the circumstances themselves will probably slow the trip timeline making your ride even more difficult and miserable.

Just plan well and be prepared for the worst. Pack light… but pack for warm, cold and wet weather conditions, pack for both day and night ride timelines, and ensure your other half packs for all the same reasons etc. This year the club plans to put more time on the road enjoying chapter rides as a club.  I hope to see everyone out on the road.

“Ride safe and ride together”