North Carolina Chapter 10

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The Blue Knights of Orange and Alamance Counties - North Carolina Chapter 10 was formed out of a desire of local law enforcement officers who enjoy the freedom associated with riding motorcycles with an even greater desire to form a brotherhood to collectively give to others in need.

We are a part of the Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, a non-profit fraternal organization comprised of active and retired law enforcement officers.

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The definition of a Knight is a person granted an honorary title of knighthood for service, especially in military. Knighthood was conferred by the monarch upon mounted warriors in service to the monarch. Although a mounted warrior in the "days of olde" meant a warrior on horseback, for a Blue Knight, the same stands - except mounted upon motorcycles. The "rank" has become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior. As law enforcement officers, we are warriors against any and all things that threaten the laws of the Constitution of the United States and in so doing, we serve our fellow man by performing deeds to better the lives of those less fortunate.

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Our Motto

Per gratiam Dei, quod est lux sum miles eius.

("By the grace of God, He is my light, I am His Knight.")

It is by the grace of God that only a select few are chosen to serve as a law enforcement officer. There are very few persons that possess the courage, the honor, the compassion to submit their lives to mankind, up to and including, sacrificing that life for all...known and unknown.

To be chivalrous, is to possess the combination of qualities expected of an ideal knight. These qualities entail courage, honor, courtesy, justice, and a readiness to help those in need...whether it be service or charity. For those that possess these qualities and hold to them to be true, a Knight will always reign.

Tarheel Regulators

The nickname of our chapter was derived from rich history of both counties. When North Carolina was only a colony, it was a major source of naval stores, tar, pitch and turpentine which was used on the hulls of ships to seal them. Tar was a product of the abundant pine trees that covered the state. The trees would be stacked and burned until the hot oil inside would seep out. In the 1820s, North Carolina was the leader in the U.S. for naval stores. As early as the Revolutionary War (1775-1783), the term tar heel was applied when tar had been dumped into rivers to impede the British soldiers. When the British finally crossed the rivers, they found that their feet were completely black with tar. It was during the Civil War when the name gained prominence and was a sense of pride for North Carolinians...long before the first state-supported university in the nation located in Chapel Hill acquired it as their nickname. Legend has it that General Robert E. Lee was impressed with the dedication to their cause and the way they stuck to their work, he is quoted as saying, "God bless the Tar Heel boys!". For more than 150 years, since it was "officially" directed toward the citizens of North Carolina, proud North Carolinians have accepted the moniker Tarheel with pride.

Known as the "first war of the Revolution", the Battle of Alamance (Great Alamance Creek) took place in what was then Orange County. It wasn't until 1849 when Orange County was subdivided and Alamance County was created. During the 1760s and early 1770s, citizens labeled as backcountry farmers and low-class citizens, became discontented by the mistreatment of the colonial government. Excessive taxes, illegal fees, corruption by government officials and dishonest sheriffs (John Butler was Orange County Sheriff at the time of the battle), led the Regulators to rebel and fight for their rights.

In May of 1771, colonial governor Lord William Tryon ordered one of his generals to head toward Hillsborough to confront the Regulators. Outnumbered, the general turned back. To restore order, Governor Tryon left Hillsborough to rescue the general. When he arrived, Governor Tryon and his army of approximately 1,100 set up camp on the banks of the Great Alamance Creek. The Regulators were approximately 2,000 strong.

After the Regulators requested to discuss their differences with government officials, Governor Tryon rejected them and stated that the pre-requisite for an audience would be to stand down and disarm...they were given one hour to comply. The Regulators replied..."Fire and be damned!". Governor Tryon and his army answered with cannon fire. The battle lasted for approximately two hours. Due to disorganization, inexperience, lack of formal training and insufficient ammunition, the Regulators lost. Governor Tryon took fifteen prisoners. One was executed at the camp and six were later executed (hanged) near Hillsborough.

Although the battle was lost, the boldness and determination for reform from corruption provided a lesson which was later employed in the American War for Independence.

With the same pride displayed by early Tarheels of yesteryear and today and the determination and perserverance of the Regulators to fight for what is right for all...we are the Tarheel Regulators.