Fallen officers honored at Palm Beach State's largest Panther Prowl Motorcycle Rodeo

Palm Beach State College hosted South Florida’s only combined law enforcement and civilian motorcycle competition, the Panther Prowl Motorcycle Rodeo & Motorman Tribute, for the fourth time March 25–28 at the 4.5-acre skid pad of PBSC’s Public Safety Training Center on the Lake Worth campus. The four-day, sold-out event, hosted by PBSC’s Criminal Justice Institute in partnership with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) and the Police Benevolent Association (PBA), drew a record 100 registrations, doubling past years’ events.

Expanding from three to four competition days, this year’s Panther Prowl united officers and civilian riders in a showcase of high-precision motorcycle skills while honoring fallen motor officers from the past 18 months. Among the competitors were about 10 women—the largest number of female participants since the event began.

Saturday’s highlight day opened with a Blessing of the Bikes by Dr. Stan Sniezek, Police Chaplain of the Lake Clarke Shores Police Dept., an Honor Guard Presentation of Colors by Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, a PBSO Helicopter Flyover, and the National Anthem sung by Breyona Elijah. Families enjoyed a food truck, a motorcycle demonstration by the Ft. Lauderdale Drill Team, and an up-close look at the riders’ skill in navigating tight turns and complex maneuvers designed to simulate real-world road challenges.

The weekend concluded with two highly anticipated events—the Motor Officer Tribute Ride, one of the most technically demanding courses, and the crowd-favorite Slalom Drag Race. Proceeds benefited both the Police Benevolent Association on behalf of the families of our three fallen PBSO Motormen, and PBSC’s Criminal Justice programs, helping fund training and education for current and future law enforcement professionals.

For many participants, the rodeo was about more than competition. Broward County Deputy Joe Downs, a first-time competitor, said the event offered a blend of skill-building and solidarity. “Competitions like these are wonderful because there’s so much camaraderie,” said Downs, who knows of four officers killed on the job while on a motorcycle. “It’s a great way to practice and become a better rider, which is so critical in our field.”

Palm Beach County Officer Mario Hluch, also new to the event, echoed that sentiment. “I’m not so much competing as I am experimenting,” said Hluch, who rides a motorcycle three times a week while on duty. “I went a little too fast and dropped my bike during the Precision Run, but that’s okay because I’m here to learn so I can be more efficient on the job.”

As the engines quieted and the trophies were handed out, the spirit of unity, respect, and professional growth remained the weekend’s true prize.

The 2026 Panther Prowl Motorcycle Rodeo is part of the upcoming fourth annual Palm Beach State College Invitational, scheduled for May 4 - 9. The invitational is a multiday, multidiscipline competitive event for members of public safety agencies to demonstrate their abilities, compete against their peers and learn in a cooperative environment.

Palm Beach State College is the leading educator of public safety professionals in Palm Beach County, offering degree and certificate programs in criminal justice, emergency medical services (including EMT and paramedic) and fire science, as well as various advanced, cross-over and career programs, such as Public Safety Telecommunications, which trains 911 dispatchers.

To see more photos of the event, view the 2026 Motorcycle Rodeo Flickr album. 

2026 RODEO WINNERS:

3 categories of motorcycles:  Fairing, Non-Fairing and Other (aka BMW metric bikes)

FUN RUN:

Fairing:

1st – #7 Thomas Dague

2nd – #31 Josh McCoy

3rd – #24 Lawrence Rini

Non-Fairing:

1st – #42 Eric Crompton

2nd – #59 Charles Dulaney

3rd – #5 Chris Moniz

Other:

1st – #60 Franco Dal Bon

2nd – #63 Michael Gari

3rd – #74 Charles Bigby

PRECISION RUN:

Fairing:

1st – #7 Thomas Dague

2nd – #31 Josh McCoy

3rd – #78 Reynaldo Soriano

Non-Fairing:

1st – #5 Chris Moniz

2nd – #50 Charles Watts

3rd – #42 Eric Crompton

Other:

1st – #60 Franco Dal Bon

2nd – #74 Charles Bigby

3rd – #63 Michael Gari

HAMMER TRIBUTE RUN:

Fairing:

1st – #78 Reynaldo Soriano

2nd – #73 Emmanuel Cano

3rd – #7 Thomas Dague

Non-Fairing:

1st – #5 Christopher Moniz

2nd – #22 Tom Brennan

3rd – #42 Eric Crompton

Other:

1st – # 60  Franco Dal Bon 

2nd – # 74 Charles Bigby

3rd – # 63 Michael Gari

MOTOR OFFICER MEMORIAL RUN:

Fairing:

1st – #78 Reynaldo Soriano

2nd – #73 Emmanuel Cano

3rd – #7 Thomas Dague

Non-Fairing:

1st – #5 Chris Moniz

2nd – #22 Tom Brennan

3rd – #16 Jim Viviani

Other:

1st – #60 Franco Dal Bon

2nd – #74 Charles Bigby

3rd –  #63 Michael Gari

SLOW BOX:

#5 Chris Moniz (Non-Fairing)

SLALOM DRAG RACE:

Fairing / Non-Fairing: #42 Eric Crompton

Other: #60 Franco Dal Bon

MR RODEO:

Fairing / Non-Fairing:

#5 Chris Moniz

Other:  

#60 Franco Dal Bon