A powerful show of support rolled through Indiana this week as hundreds of bikers gathered outside a hospital to sing “Happy Birthday” to a wounded sheriff’s deputy fighting to recover after a shooting.
LaPorte County Deputy Jon Samuelson turned 33 on Monday while recovering at Memorial Hospital in South Bend after being shot inside Franciscan Health in Michigan City last week. Instead of a quiet birthday in the ICU, the deputy was met with the sound of roaring motorcycles and a crowd of riders singing to him from outside the hospital.
More than 300 bikers reportedly joined the benefit ride organized by Warriors’ Oath VMC of Plymouth. The ride started in LaPorte, stopped at Franciscan Health Michigan City, and ended at Memorial Hospital where Samuelson continues his recovery.
According to reports, riders came from across Indiana, Michigan, and even the Chicago area to support the deputy and his family. The emotional moment outside the hospital became one of the biggest highlights of the ride as bikers gathered together to sing “Happy Birthday” to Samuelson.
Samuelson’s father shared that the deputy is slowly getting stronger each day and recently had his feeding tube removed. Family members say the support from the biker community, law enforcement, and local residents has been overwhelming.
Additional fundraisers and meal train efforts have also been launched to help support the deputy’s family during his recovery.