Chapter History

The Virginia One Chapter of the Blue Knights was issued it's Charter in March 1984. The chapter organizer was Robert Shipe, who had relinquished his position as the Mason-Dixon Chairman in 1983. Bob did this to fulfill a desire to organize a "True Blue" Blue Knights Chapter that would follow the Blue Knights charters and by laws to the "T". When we started there was 15 charter members. All were U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) Officers. In fact, Robert "Reb" Shipe and Charles "Tex" DeMoss are the only remaining members of the first chartered chapter south of the Mason-Dixon. They joined March 1975, the National Capitol Area Chapter, Blue Knights International.

The first VA I Rally ("Fun in the Sun") was held July 1984 in Norfolk,VA. In fact, VA V was formed as a result of that rally. "Summer Knights" was born in 1985 and was held in Manassas, VA; the first attempt to hold a rally in the metropolitan Washington, D. C. area. The Chapter practiced what it preached by developing group riding and safe parking exercises. Both past presidents, Tomi' Finkle and Richard Morris, were motor training officers of the USCP. They used their skills to "fine tune" our exercises and instructed the Chaper on better riding techniques and safer riding practices.

In 2005 held the last "Summer Knights In Virginia" rally. Since 1985, the "Summer Knights" had a fantastic run with Knights attending from Canada, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, France and all parts of the United States. The rally was initially billed as a fun, food, knowledge, kindness, friendly, and non-political rally and this continued until it's completion. Also in 1985, Shirl Shipe suggested the BK Family logo (with lady on BK emblem). It was an uphill battle until Ellen Smit (Past President-Blue Knights International) got on board. It was approved as a Chapter (VAI) special logo.

Over the years all members of the VA I family have committed themselves to developing a fraternal spirit between law enforcement personnel and the promotion and advancement of motorcycling as a safe and enjoyable sport.