By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — While St. John the Baptist Parish Deputy Brandon Nielsen passed away in August of 2012, his memory, his passions and his spirit haven’t been forgotten.

And those who were closest to him are determined to make sure that remains the case.

The Brandon J. Nielsen Memorial Foundation will hold the inaugural “Makin’ It Do What It Do” Motorcycle Ride and Car Show Sept. 27 at the St. John Community Center. Proceeds from the event will support the local law enforcement community, specifically the Louisiana Chapter of the Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), a non-profit organization that offers training and assistance to law enforcement agencies nationwide on how to respond to the tragic loss of a member of the law enforcement profession.

The foundation was established by Steve and Wendy Nielsen, Brandon’s parents, after the latter and fellow deputy Jeremy Triche lost their lives in the line of duty.

“If we can help officers get proper training in any way we can, it could help someone protect themselves when a dangerous situation arises,” Wendy Nielsen said.

Added Steve Nielsen, “C.O.P.S. not only reaches out to the wife or husband of the family (when an officer passes) but to parents, in-laws, brothers and sisters. They act as grief counselors, people that can offer the perspective of, ‘I’ve been in your shoes.’”

The theme and name of the event was inspired by Brandon, who had a well-known love of motorcycles. He volunteered to do Harley Davidson maintenance for the police department and also annually led the police escort of the Harley for Horses fundraiser in LaPlace.

“He loved motorcycles, even as a child,” Wendy Nielsen said.

“He’d watch CHiPS on television and emulated Ponch. He had that type of personality. When he was 6 or 7 years old, we went to see it filmed, and he was disappointed to see they didn’t ride (the motorcycles) like they do on T.V.

“He loved his bike. Everyone said it was an extension of himself.”

“Makin’ it do what it do” was a catchphrase of Brandon, when he’d be asked about his work on or expertise about motorcycles.

Registration for the event will be from 8-10 a.m. on Sept. 27, with preregistration also available.

The motorcycle ride will begin at 10 a.m. and return for noon. From noon to 4 p.m. there will be a catered lunch and live music by The Flashback Chameleons. There will also be a K-9 demonstration, a fingerprint “crime lab” demonstration for children to explore and a car show. While to ride, one must register beforehand, the car show is free for spectators to attend.

“This is the first annual event so we’re not quite sure how big it will be, but we’re planning on at least 200 bikes,” Steve Nielsen said. “We’ve been told it could range from 300 to 500.”

Those interested in pre-registering may do so at makingitdowhatitdo.org. It is $30 for a single rider, $15 for a passenger or extra guest and $30 for a car show entry. On-site registration increases prices by $5. Pre-registration includes a free T-shirt.