by Matt Konkle
Quadratec Channel Editor
It started last year as a tribute and memorial to a Delaware State Police officer who died in the line of duty.
Columns of Jeeps, nearly a hundred total, lined up at the Dover (Del.) Downs International Speedway back in May, before traveling caravan-style up to the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Headquarters in Glasgow.
It was a fantastic turnout by the Jeep community to both honor a fallen officer, Cpl. Stephen J. Ballard, who had recently been gunned down in the line of duty, and help raise money for C.O.P.S – Concerns of Police Survivors.
And yet, for all its success, organizer Jeff Lehnert still wanted to do more. He also knew, if asked, the Jeep community would step up again as well.
So Lehnert, head of Infidel Jeepers of Delaware, embarked on a crusade of sorts to construct another ‘Back the Blue’ Jeep caravan and law enforcement appreciation event this year that would shatter the likes of anything seen before. Something that would be a tribute, as well as pay respects to those who have fallen in the line of duty. Something, even, that could be record setting.
”When Corporal Ballard of the Delaware State Police was killed last year, I wanted to find a way to show my respects so I called upon my Jeep family,” Lehnert said. “We had about 80 Jeeps show up and it was a very moving and emotional event for us. “
”I decided I wanted to do it again this year, but more as a positive event than a memorial. I again have leaned upon my Jeep family but have also gained the support of my law enforcement family - and the event has really taken off. As of now we have over 400 Jeeps registered for the convoy and are expecting a lot more just to show up to the law enforcement appreciation part of the event.”
Once again this year, those registered for the caravan will meet at the Dover Downs International Speedway early Sunday, April 29, where The Blue Line Network will be available to put blue lines on Jeeps for those who choose, while raffle, 50/50 tickets and stickers can also be purchased before heading out.
The caravan is open to any and all Jeep owners regardless of club or affiliation.
”We will be starting at Dover Downs race track with an estimated leave time of around 10:30 a.m.,” Lehnert said. “We will be leaving out the back entrance of the speedway and heading up Route 9 to Delaware City and then on to Route 1 to Delaware Park, where they have graciously agreed to host our law enforcement appreciation event.”
”It is a slightly longer route to get there, however due to the size of the convoy, we are trying to minimize the impact on traffic. It is also one of the most scenic roads that Delaware has to offer.”
The convoy’s size could produce something else, too, besides just a long line of Jeeps. This one has the potential to be the world's largest off-road vehicle caravan, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The current record is 449 vehicles, set back in 2016 by a Western Australian group.
Should the Back The Blue caravan achieve this feat, it would stand alongside Bantam's Jeep Festival in the Guinness Book of World Records, as Bantam holds the largest Jeep parade record at 2,420 vehicles.
”We’re hoping to hit 500 Jeeps,” Lehnert said. “But whether we set a record or not isn’t as important as showing those in law enforcement just how much support they have from the community.”
The massive caravan is expected to reach Delaware Park somewhere between 11:40 and noon, but the law enforcement appreciation event will open at 11 for the general public and runs until 3 p.m.
Local Wilmington radio station WJBR is planning to broadcast from the event and food trucks will be supplied by Rolling Revolution Food Trucks. There will also be three tents set up to sell raffle and 50/50 tickets. Proceeds from these sales will help defray educational and other expenses for the school-age children of three officers – Wilmington Police Cpt. Stephen Misetic, Delaware State Police Sgt. Rodney Bond Jr. and Dover Police Cpl. Thomas Hannon – who passed away this last year.
In addition, Lehnert has also helped collect another $6,000 for the Delaware Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge Scholarship Fund - a fund used to help the children of Law Enforcement Officers further their education.
”Our FOP designates $10,000 a year to scholarship funds and divides it among 16 lodges,” Lehnert said. “So instead of $625 each, they will all receive $1000 this year.”
Besides raffles, food and music, those who attend the event can check out mounted patrols from both the New Castle County Police Department and Delaware State Police, attend K-9 unit demonstrations, peruse displays from various police agencies as well as talk with representatives. Plus, at 1, there will be a multi-agency honor guard ceremony in the parking area, complete with bagpipes and drums, to honor fallen officers.
”I think it will be a great day for the Jeep world to show how much they support our men and women in blue, and a chance for all LEO’s to see how much support they have from the community,” Lehnert said. “Many people who have Jeeps have no idea of how active the Jeep community actually is. Many clubs have meet and greets, off-road trips and also love to give back to the community with great events such as this one.”
Those interested in signing up for the Jeep caravan can check out registration information here.
Both the Back The Blue Jeep caravan and law enforcement appreciation event at Delaware Park are free.
