BY DARRELL HALEN

While the lights of his Windham police motorcycle flashed, officer Scott Rogers led a long line of motorcycle riders in the “Knight Ride.”

The trip – from Windham to the seacoast and ending in Salem – was part of a benefit to help Windham officer Mark Knight, who is battling liver cancer.

The morning ride and an afternoon barbecue drew hundreds of supporters on Saturday, June 23.

“It was truly an amazing turnout,” said Windham officer Jessica Flynn, one of the event organizers. “I was very happy about it.”   

Knight was diagnosed with cancer in July 2006. He underwent surgery to have a cancerous tumor removed, then spent several months receiving chemotherapy and radiation.

He recently ended his treatments but learned the cancer had spread to his liver. Knight, a former Salem resident, has been a patrolman for Windham for seven years. He and his wife, Jennifer, have a 6-year-old daughter.

“He’s highly respected and liked,” Flynn said. “We wanted to do something to show how much he’s respected and loved, and we want him to get better.”

The ride started at Park Place Lanes in Windham, and concluded at the Derry-Salem Elks Lodge in Salem, where the barbecue was held. Many of the people there wore “Knight Ride 2007” T-shirts.

“This is the best run I’ve been on my whole life,” said Mike Hanson of Salem who’s been biking 35 years. “I’ve been on a ton of runs, and this was one of the biggest.”

Tom Lannan of Derry drove Knight for about 40 miles of the trip in a blue Corvette. Knight later spent some time at the barbecue. Lannan said he thinks his friend was overwhelmed by the number of people who came to show their support.

The bike ride drew nearly 350 riders and approximately 200 people attended the barbecue, according to Flynn. A portion of the money raised will benefit the American Cancer Society.

The benefit drew fellow police officers from several communities, local firefighters and elected officials, friends of Knight, and people who have done business with him.

Several people praised Knight as an exceptionally nice person.

“That’s why you see the turnout you see here,” Rogers said. “He’s touched so many lives in so many ways. A great, stand-up guy.”

The barbecue featured a performance by the New Hampshire Police Association Pipes and Drums and a silent auction.

“Grab a pen, put a bid in,” DJ Butch, the deejay for the event, urged the crowd. “Great stuff.”

Among the items up for bid were a New England Patriots helmet signed by player Rodney Harrison, 18 holes of golf for four players at Windham Country Club, an autographed photo of Red Sox player David Ortiz, passes to Canobie Lake Park, a limousine ride to a Godsmack concert for four people and a Coca-Cola clock.

Salem Sgt. Steve Malisos was the highest bidder, at $250, for a framed set of photographs, “Boston’s Greatest Sports Brawls.”

Malisos graduated with Knight in 1985 from Salem High School where they played baseball together. His brother, Greg, is a colleague of Knight’s at the Windham Police Department.

Malisos said he attended the benefit to support Knight and his family.

“I know this money was going to help him,” Malisos said. “The police community – we rally around each other and help out.”