Our own Mike Ripsch elected International Vice President of Blue Knights International!

Bangor, Maine—The 18,660 members of Blue Knights International, one of the world’s five largest police fraternal organizations for active and retired officers, have elected Michael Ripsch of rural Bloomington as their International Vice President.  Inauguration ceremonies were held after ballot counting at the group’s headquarters in Bangor, Maine on January 8, 2005.  In theVice-Presidential race,  Ripsch garnered 90% of the vote.  The Inauguration included President Connie Flanagan of Dover, OH, Vice President Ripsch, Treasurer Jerry Bryan of Tulsa, OK and Secretary Pat Fox of Albany, NY.

            The Blue Knights just celebrated their thirtieth year in 2004 and have 565 local chapters in 24 countries. There are eighteen local chapters in Illinois. Ripsch has been an officer of the Bloomington chapter since 1990 and served at the regional level for the last 12 years, most recently representing the region that includes Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Ontario and Wisconsin on the International Board of Directors.

            Ripsch, a Pontiac native, retired from the Bloomington Police Department in 1995 and currently teaches Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement at the Bloomington Area Vocational Center, as well as teaches on a contract basis around the country for the federal Department of Homeland Security.  He is a past recipient of the Blue Knights’ Meritorious Service Award for two separate acts of heroism during his police career.  Ripsch also serves on the state committee of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, as well as the Criminal Justice Advisory committee for Heartland College.  He was also active on behalf of Illinois Blue Knights on the committee that established the Illinois Police Memorial, since its inception.

            The Illinois State University graduate (1989) is currently working on his Master’s degree in Criminal Justice at the University of Cincinnati, and holds memberships in a number of professional organizations, including:  the International Association of Chiefs of Police, International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association, American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers, and the Policemen’s Benevolent Association.  He has also recently completed the requirements to be designated as a Certified Law Enforcement Trainer.