Sheriff's Posse Ride Results

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Published on July 6 2015 5:13 pm
Last Updated on July 8 2015 2:06 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

(ALL THREE EFFINGHAM COUNTY SHERIFFS WHO HAVE OVERSEEN THE POSSE RIDE WERE ON HAND FOR THIS YEAR'S EVENT. FROM LEFT, RON MEEK WHO SERVED AS SHERIFF FROM 1994 TO 2002, CURRENT SHERIFF DAVE MAHON, AND JOHN MONNET, WHO SERVED AS SHERIFF FROM 2002 TO 2014)

Every summer, the Effingham County Sheriff organizes a motorcycle “Posse Ride,” to benefit a local Effingham County charity. This year’s ride proceeds were given to Effingham County Habitat for Humanity.

The 2015 ride was conducted on Saturday, June 13, leaving Legacy Harley Davidson, traveling through Effingham, Jasper, Richland and Clay counties, ending at the Effingham Performance Center. The Posse consisted of 153 registered participants on 90 motorcycles and in 12 vehicles.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by volunteers from the Effingham County Sheriff’s Explorer’s Post and the local Effingham County 4-H group. Also assisting with the benefit were volunteers from Theology on Tap, The Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club and Effingham County Habitat for Humanity. The ride was escorted by two Illinois State Police motorcycles and, for a short distance, an Air EVAC helicopter. The Posse was welcomed back to Effingham with an escort from the Effingham City Fire Department, assisted by the Effingham City Police Department. A meal was provided at the EPC and the band “Whiskey Bend,” provided entertainment. Funds were raised by an entry registration fee, a 50-50 raffle, a gun raffle, raffling off prizes, selling T-shirts and selling non-alcoholic drinks.

This year’s Posse was unique in that all three Sheriffs who have been involved with the Posse Ride throughout the years were present and participated in the event. Former Sheriff Ron Meek was the founder of the Effingham County Sheriff’s Posse Ride back in 1999. When Meek left office, former Sheriff John Monnet continued the ride. After Monnet’s retirement, current sheriff Dave Mahon has continued the annual tradition.

(BACK ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: DICK BENCE, BLUE KNIGHTS; DENNIS WENDLING, BLUE KNIGHTS; FRANCES ARNOLD, EFFINGHAM COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE; EUGENE ARNOLD, BLUE KNIGHTS; TYSON REED, LEGACY HARLEY DAVIDSON; BOB FERGUS, BLUE KNIGHTS; RANDY MILONE, BLUE KNIGHTS; BRAD WEISHAAR, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY; FRONT ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: KENDALL BALDING, BLUE KNIGHTS; JIM BRIAN, POSSE RIDE COMMITTEE MEMBER; CHERYL BRIAN, EFFINGHAM POSSE RIDE CHAIRPERSON; SHERIFF DAVE MAHON; ROBERT WEST, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY; DEVVIE HODGE, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY; PAUL GUTMAN, LEGACY HARLEY DAVIDSON; JASON McFARLAND, BLUE KNIGHTS)

Sheriff Mahon said, "The Sheriff’s Posse Ride is not about politics, but instead is about helping out the people of Effingham County. As is evident from the participation of all the local volunteers and the assistance from the local merchants, it is apparent community pride runs deep in our county. For this reason, we are proud to announce this year’s ride raised $6,145.00 for Effingham County Habitat for Humanity. This is the largest amount of money raised since 2009."

The sheriff and Ride Chairperson Cheryl Brian thanked all of the EMS personnel and all of the volunteers, all of those that participated in the ride, and all of the businesses for their donations to the event.