Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Policeman Ian James Campbell

Los Angeles Police Department, California

End of Watch Saturday, March 9, 1963

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Reflections for Policeman Ian James Campbell

Another year where we say thank you to you and Officer Hettinger for your truly heroic actions that night. God Bless both of you and both of your families.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

March 9, 2024

Your loss and the brutal treatment of Karl at the hands of the Department you served was burned into my brain after reading "The Onion Field", probably 40 years ago. Today, I talked to one of Karl's daughters. Neither of you will be forgotten, by your families, or by thousands who knew you only from the pages of a book.

Sue Stanford Pearl, former PSR
LAPD

November 3, 2023

60 years ago you were killed execution style by a person who had no regard for human life. Your partner suffered PTSD, that was unknown or else was not talked about then in law enforcement. Many lesson were learned from your terrible death, and I am sure have helped save the lives of LEO's across the US. During my 38 year career, your kidnapping and murder, the Newhall Incident were some of the examples used of how LE changed tactics. To the Campbell and Hettinger families, know that what happened changed LE tactics for the better.
Semper Fi Ian Campbell.

RLL
Retired Colorado Deputy Sheriff

July 17, 2023

Officer Campbell,
On today, the 60th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the USMC. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!
A fellow LEO;former Marine

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

March 9, 2023

RIP Officer Hettinger and Officer Campbell and may God watch over and protect your loved ones.

Det.Richard J Pavese shield #885 Nycpd R
NYCPD

March 9, 2023

As I try and do every year on this day, sometimes unsuccessfully unfortunately, I say thank you to you and Officer Hettinger for your heroism on that tragic night. You both will never be forgotten and may God Bless you both and always watch over your family and loved ones.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

March 9, 2023

It is 60 years today since your End of Watch. You are honored and respected each day by every citizen of this great country. This grateful nation will continues to mourn for her son for laying down his life to protect others. May God continue to cradle you in His loving arms.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends"

Brandon J. Sullivan

March 9, 2023

Thanks Suzanne for turning me into this book about Ian Campbell. Dennis Riordan, Powell's attorney just passed away.

Captain Edward Cokely
LAFD

August 14, 2022

Officer Campbell, I cannot say it better than Det. Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo did earlier today.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Department

March 9, 2022

As I try to remember this anniversary every year, sometimes unsuccessfully, I’d like to again express my sincere and heartfelt appreciation to Officer Campbell and Officer Hettinger for their heroism that evening. Time will never erase, God Speed to both of you.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

March 9, 2022

I was 12 years old and living in Ventura on the day that Officer Campbell gave his “last full measure of devotion” and Officer Hettinger’s life was so irrevocably altered. The tragic news rocked my world as I grappled with the realization that members of the LE community are not invincible and don’t always “win” like Hollywood would have us believe. Just as in the loss of close loved ones, no matter the years that have passed, at times the magnitude of Officer Campbell’s death washes through raw as though yesterday. To both these brave officers, their families, and to all who have come before and will after, know that your dedicated service and daily unseen sacrifices, your unrelenting courage in protection of our communities, shall forever be honored in our collective memory.

Christine Ertman

January 14, 2022

Ian Campbell, God bless your soul. I will never forget your sacrifice. In this day and age, a name like George Floyd is a household name, but, sadly, Ian's isn't. God bless your soul and cradle it for all eternity.

Antonio Acevedo

May 26, 2021

To the NC Officer Reflection of March 9, 2020....Thank you for saying what is in my heart, and the hearts of many law enforcement officers who have walked a beat and fought the fight and wondered, at the end of the day, why wasn’t it me, why wasn’t I “The One”. Why was it him, Officer Campbell? We’ll never know the answer. Thank you again for your service and sacrifice. Rest in Eternal Peace, Brother.

Lori Cleeland-Herian
OCSD, Deputy Sheriff, Retired

April 2, 2021

As always no passage of time will ever erase your sacrifice and your service to the people of Los Angeles. Rest in peace always and may God always bless your family.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

March 10, 2021

Rest in peace Policeman Campbell.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 14, 2020

Rest in peace. You gave the full measure of duty.

Patrolman William Gomola
Bay village Ohio Police Department

December 3, 2020

God bless you, Ian. Although we never knew each other, you're a brother officer and I think of you often.

Retired officer John Frascello
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office...Florida

November 9, 2020

To the family of Officer Hettenger and Officer Campbell, you are not forgotton and remain in the thoughts of many.

Inv. Dan Paidousis
Knoxville Tennessee Police Department

September 25, 2020

My dad, Ralph Alfred Anderson and my mom and brother [before I was adopted] lived next to either Ian or Karl. My parents died 20 years ago, so I can't remember. But as a girl I watched the Onion Field. They lived in Burbank and I have a picture of what may be the boy who played with my brother. Other pictures too. Just reaching out. Melissa Session. RIP

Sgt Det Ralph Alfred Anderson "Andy
Daughter of LASD Ralph Alfred Anderson 'Andy'

August 10, 2020

I learned of your untimely death having watched “The Onion Field.” The experience you and your brave partner endured was heartbreaking. To your family, know that people who never met you, regret the tragedy of a life full of promise was ended so wantonly. Thank you for your devoted service.
With love and sympathy,
Allison Roberts
May 14, 2020

Allison Roberts
No relationship

May 14, 2020

Officer Campbell,
Even though it’s been over half a century since you have passed you are still thought of even by people who never had the opportunity to meet you.
Your sacrifice served as a lesson that saved an untold number of officers lives. You and Officer Hettinger will remain in our prayers. May you both Rest In Peace.

Sgt. Brian Boney (Retired)
Alexandria, La. Police Department

March 30, 2020

Officer Campbell, it’s been a few years since I last left a reflection for you and your partner Officer Hettinger. On this anniversary of your untimely departure I’d like to just take a minute and once again say thank you to both you and Officer Hettinger for your service and for the true heroes you were. I see that your family visits this site and leaves reflections as well and to them, I’d like to say God Bless and know that Officer Campbell’s LE family thinks of him and Officer Hettinger every bit as much.

Cpl/3 Detective Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

March 9, 2020

Tragically, in our profession, there seems to be "the one" that starts the discussion. You were "the one" that started the discussion on giving up a weapon. How many policies were written because of you? How many hours of training were conducted because of you? How many "if this happens I'll do this and you do that" scenarios have been strategized between officers during lulls in shifts, because of you? I wish you had been exposed to those policies, attended those training hours, and had those strategy sessions with your partner before that night. But you couldn't, because you were "the one". And, in all likelihood, if you had, it would be because someone else before you would have been "the one".

How many of us are alive today because YOU were "the one"? I like to think where you are now, you know the answer to that. I like to think you know those of us who have been able to live full lives because you were "the one" that got the discussion started.

There have been others that started other discussions. Seven years after your incident (I say incident because I can't seem to see you as dead, when you have continued to touch so many lives, but yet I know you were cheated out of so much of your life), four fellow officers of the California Highway Patrol were "the ones" to start the discussion on "high risk vehicle stops".

I'm sorry there has to be "the one". I'm sorry it was you. I'm sorry it was Roger Gore, Walter Frago, George Alleyn and James Pence. I guess the old adage is true: "Someone has to walk the point".

My gratitude - our gratitude - is probably not much consolation for the life you and those like you were deprived of, but it's the best I can do. Thanks for be being "one" of "the one's".

Please know, 57 years later, we have not forgotten you.

NC Officer

March 9, 2020

In 1973 I worked Hollywood Station as a Reserve and saw his picture each tour.
Reminded by a partner not to give up my gun.

After I retired from the Sheriff’s Dept. I took a tour of the Museum and came away with more detail information about the occurrence that night.

Deputy Michael Jung
L.A. County Sheriif

April 22, 2019

56 years have passed since your End of Watch. You are honored and respected each day by not only the citizens of Los Angeles but by this grateful nation that continues to mourn for her son for laying down his life to preserve the freedom and safety of people. Rest well Officer Campbell. May God always cradle you in His loving arms.

Sent with utmost respect and gratitude,

Brandon J. Sullivan

March 9, 2019

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