Ian Campbell Fundraising Dinner

L/R: Army 1st SGT / TSA Manager Bruce Sweeney, 

USN Veteran / LAPD SGT / Bagpiper Piper Michael (Mick) Rose, 

USN MCPO / Airport Police Ofcr Thomas Dye, 

USAF CMSGT / LASD SGT / Emerald Society President George Carroll 

By Seóirse Ó'Cearbhaill
President, Los Angeles Police Emerald Society

On Friday, August 10, 2012, the Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums held their first fundraiser and dinner at the Mountain Gate Country Club, Los Angeles.  Over 150 people gathered to acknowledge the volunteer work of the band and to financially support their future appearances at military and peace officer line of duty funerals.

Author James Elroy spoke of events earlier in the day where Ian Campbell Square was dedicated in Hollywood. Mr. Elroy tied in Officer Ian Campbell's love of bagpiping with the selfless effort the band members undertake, driven in part to keep the memory of Ian's sacrifice alive.

Jim Cunningham reminded the audience how Ian Campbell's passing started a tradition within the LAPD of having Piper's perform in token appreciation for the sacrifice soldiers and peace officers make defending our freedom.

Cunningham elaborated on the effect the band has had on survivor's, particularly members of Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) during annual memorial ceremonies at the State Capitol in Sacramento. In the audience and expressing gratitude for the emotional support the band continually shows were C.O.P.S. family members Mary and John Huffman who's son Orange County Sheriff's Sergeant Matt Davis's life was taken in 2002 and Gold Star parents Gary and Elaine Brattain who's son Private First Class Joel K. Brattain was Killed In Action in Iraq in 2004.

Through the generous support of live auction patrons, bidders were generous in their bids realizing the great work their donations support. Cigars, whiskey, fine dining, dancing, and of course a raffle made for a truly fantastic evening.

The Wicked Tinkers Band performed and were able to captivate the audience into forming a huge conga line encircling the entire dance floor!

The Police Pipe & Drum Band would like to thank Darrell Calvillo and Mike Jett for their Pipe and Drum performance, the Wicked Tinkers, Bo's Cigar Lounge, Auctioneer Jim Cunningham Esq., and Chris Uhde of JVS Wine Imports for all their hard work to make the event smashing!

Ian Campbell Square

Pipe Major Scott Walton, Drum Sgt Charlie Ezelle and Piper Cliff Armas

Credit: Karen Jordan

On Friday August 10, 2012, the intersection of Carlos and Gower in Hollywood was officially named in honor of Officer Ian Campbell. Councilmember Eric Garcetti carried the motion through City Council with a second from Councilmember Tom LaBonge based on a proposal brought by the Los Angeles Police Museum, and in partnership with the Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums and the Los Angeles Police Protective League.

Ian Campbell Fundraising Dinner

(click on image)

The Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums is truly unique.  All entities and units within LAPD receive direct support from LAPD.  LAPES Pipes and Drums exists to serve LAPD and the law enforcement community, however, all members of the Band volunteer their time.  Due to the Band’s limited budget, Band members will pay for their Band uniform, upkeep, and instruments.  Band uniforms consist of a specially ordered kilt, shoes, hose, sporran, and glengarry.  In addition to this Band members pay for lessons and usually travel to the various venues at their own expense. 

 

In the first half of 2012, Band members played at over forty-six funerals or memorials for active duty and retired law enforcement officers throughout the Southern California area.  The Band played at memorial ceremonies for the Torrance Police Department, Redondo Beach Police Department, South Pasadena Police Department, Alhambra Police Department, West Covina Police Department and the U.S. Air Force Base at LAX.  The Band played at memorial ceremonies for Marines killed in the line of duty at Camp Pendleton and Marine Corps Air Base, Yuma, Arizona.

 

In order to offset the financial hardship incurred by Band members, the Band is hosting their first fundraiser dinner.  All benefits and proceeds will go directly to the Band.  This event will include whiskey sampling, cigars, bagpipe music, and your choice of a steak or chicken dinner.  A silent auction raffle will also be held.  The Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums is a non-profit tax exempt public charity organization under IRS Tax Code 501(c)(3), Tax Identification Number 27-3941723. 

 

The event will be held at the Mountain Gate Country Club, 12445 Mountain Gate Drive, Los Angeles, on Friday, August 10^th from 1800-2300 hours.  The Mountain Gate Country Club is situated at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains and not far from the Getty Museum. The facility is recognized as among the finest private clubs in Southern California.  http://www.mtngatecc.com/

 

The cost is $95 per person or a table of ten for $925.  Tickets can be purchased by mailing a check payable to the Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums.  Please include your choice of steak or chicken dinner. 

 

Tickets can also be purchased via Pay Pal.  To purchase via Pay Pal, please go to the Band’s web site: www.LAPESPipesAndDrums.org and click on the home page.  Information on the dinner and a link to Pay Pal is located there.

 

If you cannot attend the dinner, a donation of any amount would be greatly appreciated.  Donations can be made via check and sent to 1308 W. 8^th Street, Los Angeles, 90017 or made via Pay Pal.

 

The Band will continue to support LAPD, law enforcement, and the military, but we need your assistance to enable us to do so.  

IN MEMORIUM - MICHAEL BRIAN LIDDY

West Hartford PD - Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Charter Member

Michael B. "Brian" Liddy, 79, of Newington, died peacefully on Saturday (July 28, 2012). He was the beloved husband of the late Anna T. (Gargan) Liddy.

Born in Ireland, he immigrated to New York City, and upon joining the West Hartford Police Dept., he lived in Newington and West Hartford. In 1991, he retired from the West Hartford Police Dept. after 25 years of service and was a Veteran of the U.S. Army.

He was a member of the Church of the Holy Spirit, Newington. Mr. Liddy was also a life member of the Irish American Home in Glastonbury, the Irish Northern Aid, Hartford Chapter, and a charter member of the LAPD Emerald Society, as well as a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Newington Seniors and a former member of the American Legion in West Hartford.

Mr. Liddy is survived by his son Brian D. Liddy of Castaic, CA, his daughter Maureen Liddy of Newington, and his grandchildren, Brian Michael Liddy, Megan Elizabeth Liddy and James Patrick Liddy. He also leaves his brother Dermot Liddy and his sister Iris Liddy, both of Derry City, Ireland, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews in Ireland. His funeral service will begin on Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the Newington Memorial Funeral Home, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at the Church of the Holy Spirit, Newington.

He will be laid to rest beside his wife in West Meadow Cemetery, with police and military honors.
Relatives and friends are invited to call on Monday from 6-8 p.m. at Newington Memorial. Memorial donations may be made in Michael's name to the Foyle Hospice, 61 Culmore Road, Derry, N. Ireland, BT48 7UF.