FOP hosting motorcycle ride and corn roast in honor of Nick Polizzotto

SOUTH BEND — The South Bend FOP Lodge #36 is hosting its annual corn roast and Fallen Officer Scholarship Ride on Saturday, Aug. 17.

The ride begins at 3 p.m., with registration beginning at noon, both at the South Bend Police Department, 701 W. Sample St. The corn roast is from 5 to 11 p.m. at FOP Lodge #36, 25327 Indiana 23, where the ride ends.

Each year, the Fraternal Order of Police hosts a motorcycle ride in honor of fallen officers and to raise money for a scholarship fund it administers.

This year's event honors Cpl. Nick Polizzotto , who was shot and killed April 24, 2007, when responding to a shots fired call at the Wooden Indian Motel , which was demolished in 2018. Patrolman Michael Norby also was shot while responding with Polizzotto.

According to an April 2007 Tribune article, the officers arrived at 45-year-old Scott Barnaby's motel room door and talked with Barnaby for 10 to 15 seconds before he suddenly began firing. Barnaby was reportedly erratically shooting at signs near a local nightclub before officers arrived, the article said. Officers Jim Sweeney and Nick Zarate arrived shortly after and returned fire with Norby, the article said. Barnaby died from a gunshot wound to the head, St. Joseph County Deputy Coroner Chuck Hurley verified.

Later, Barnaby's younger brother, Chris, in a May 2007 article, confirmed that Barnaby had a history of mental illness and his life often unraveled when he stopped taking his medication. Barnaby had a serious drug problem and paranoid schizophrenia, which were diagnosed in his early 30s, the article said. Chris said that his brother's mental illness should have been enough to keep him from buying a gun.

Authorities at the time said responding officers David Newton and Antoine Jones carried Polizzotto from the motel's second floor to paramedics on Lincoln Way East. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. Polizzotto died from a gunshot to the torso, Hurley said. The officers wore bulletproof vests, but the bullets penetrated an area of the vest where Polizzotto was not protected, authorities said. Norby was injured with a shot to his right shoulder, the article said.

In the April 2007 article, Polizzotto was described as a smart and an outstanding officer whom other officers could count on. South Bend Chief of Police Scott Ruszkowski, a lieutenant and the FOP president at the time, said Polizzotto was the first one to help out. For example, Polizzotto was planning a charity poker tournament for the FOP before his death.

FOP President Joshua Morgan called the ride a memorial dedication to all 15 fallen officers from 1897 to 2007 .

All riders will receive a shirt and entry to the corn roast, including food and drinks. The corn roast, which costs $15 for non-riders, will feature live music, family-friendly activities and all-you-can-eat sweet corn, pork, sausage, beans and coleslaw. Proceeds from the corn roast will go toward funding the FOP's yearly programs, including the Santa’s Elficers and other FOP outreach events.

Money raised from the ride will go toward the FOP's scholarship fund to help further the education of college-bound students. Lodge #36 chooses from children of its FOP members who are current high school seniors in the 2024-2025 school year to help fund any career path they choose. Scholarships will be awarded to current seniors at the police department's Fallen Officer Memorial Service in May 2025. In 2024, the FOP awarded scholarships to four students, Officer Brian Meador said.

If you go

■ What: Fallen Officer Scholarship Ride and Annual Corn Roast

■ When: Saturday, Aug. 17. The ride begins at 3 p.m. Registration begins at noon. The corn roast is from 5 to 11 p.m.

■ Where: The ride starts at the South Bend Police Department, 701 W. Sample St., and ends at the FOP Lodge #36 grounds, 25327 Indiana 23. The corn roast will take place at the FOP.

■ Cost: $25 for riders and $40 for a rider and passenger. The cost for the corn roast alone is $15.

■ For registration: Participants can register through Eventbrite or sign up in person.

Email Tribune staff writer Camille Sarabia at csarabia@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: FOP hosting motorcycle ride and corn roast in honor of Nick Polizzotto