OFF THE WIRE
TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Hells Angels held services this past weekend for a longtime member and only CBS 5 was invited to attend the service.
"Because we've been in the press so much lately and it's all been pretty much negative, we thought we'd invite you guys out here to see a different side," Lee Cole, Phoenix chapter president for the Hells Angels said.
For the first time in club history, CBS 5 cameras were allowed unrestricted access to services for Raymond "Boomer" Baker, 70, who died three weeks after a motorcycle accident outside Las Vegas.
"Boomer was an Oakland member for thirty something odd years before he transferred out to Phoenix," Cole said.
Within the parking lot of over 500 were Hells Angels from East to West and several more from around the globe. But there were also dozens of Rough Riders, Vultures and Hooligans.
"I don't have family in town," said "Solid" with the Deer Valley Hooligans, "But I have a huge family with the brothers."
Across the street from the handshakes and hugs, federal agents watched; serving as a reminder into the troubled past of the Hells Angels.
"That patch carries so much power, weight and so much fear and intimidation," retired DPS Officer Steve Trethewy said.
Few people know the troubled past of the Hells Angels like Trethewy --- who headed the department's outlaw biker unit for 27 years.
"Most of them have jobs. You know personally, talking to them one-on-one is fine, even as a law enforcement officer talking to them its fine, but they live by a different set of rules," Trethewy said.
"I don't think anybody could live under the scrutiny we do by the police without having a few guys get in trouble," Cole responded.
Tears, but no words were said as friends and family looked over Baker's custom coffin. After an hour, it was loaded into a hearse and taken to a cemetery in Tempe.
Despite heavy rains, hundred of bikers rode in the procession.
"We're going to give the best sendoff we can and then get together and have a good time," Cole said.
Bakers coffin was immediately lowered into the ground, where members took turns draping the red coffin with mementos.
"We were Boomers family and I think people need to see that side of us as well," Cole said.
The service officially ended with each with member of the Hells Angels taking turns filling in the grave plot; a time honored tradition.
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