Huntington Quarterly Autumn 2022

I t was Christmas of 1972. Vernon Casey was a child liv ing here in Huntington, and his family was on hard times. “There was a gentleman I called Pappaw Nick. He was a police of ficer who lived down the street,” Casey recalled. “He showed up with gifts.” Casey never forgot that kind ness, shown to himby aHuntington police officer. He would go on to become a Huntington police officer himself in 1991; and ever since, he’s been a driving force in organizing law enforcement efforts to help those in need. For the last 10 years Casey, or “Big Vern” as he is known by friends, has done so as the president of the Blue Knights WV III, an organization of active or retired law enforcement officers who share two things: a love of motorcycles and an interest in helping others. There are around 60 members in the local chapter of the Blue Knights, and they come from city, county and state depart ments from West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and beyond. The Blue Knights is a worldwide organization of motorcycle-loving law enforcement officers. Founded

The Ride with Cops event raises money for an annual holiday party for elementary school children whose families could use the help.

PHOTO BY RICK LEE

Huntington businessman Robert Shell is a proud supporter of the Blue Knights and purchased a clubhouse for the group.

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