Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

"The Life given us by nature is short.
But the memory of a well-spent life is eternal..."

May you rest in eternal peace.

March 9, 2007

Thinking of you today and saying thank you for your service to the city of Los Angeles during your tour of duty and for the ultimate price you paid on the nightmarish night of March 9, 1963. Please comfort your old partner, Officer Hettinger, who joined you in Heaven in 1994. I know you have told him he did nothing wrong that night. Rest peacefully sir. May God always bless you with his eternal love.

A Grateful citizen.

March 8, 2007

Thinking of you today on the 44 year anniversary of your death.

Robert

Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters. Rev. 7.17

He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

March 8, 2007

Dear Officer Campbell,

Sending my thoughts and prayers to you and your family on the 44th anniversary of your untimely tragic end of watch. Thank you for your service. It will never be forgotten and will always be appreciated.

Mark

March 8, 2007

Remembering you 44 years after that tragic night. Rest well and I hope your family is doing well. While I am saddened that your wife passed away also at a young age, I know she raised your two daughters well and to instill in them all of the great things good people are made up of, strength, honesty, integrity, bravery that you possessed all the way until you were called home by our Lord.

To Officer Campbell's family, I send my most sincere and utmost respect to you and your loved one today and to let you know that he will never be forgotten. May he continue to dwell peacefully in Heaven and may our Lord continue to craddle him in His loving arms.

Anonymous

March 8, 2007

Officer Campbell,
I have read the Onion Field many times over the years and today had an opportunity to visit your gravesite for the first time. Although I was not yet born during your short but heroic time here on earth, I was overcome with emotion as I knelt by your gravesite. My prayers are with you and all of your family. You are a better man than I can ever hope to be and a shining example of what is truly good. I can only hope to make my life count as you did yours. May God Bless you always.

Jack H.
Citizen

March 5, 2007

For those who pledge to uphold it, freedom requires a sacfirice the protected will never know.

March 1, 2007

We don't have to turn to our history books for heroes. They're all around us. - Ronald Reagan

February 12, 2007

YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN.

Former Police Officer
District Heights, Maryland

January 20, 2007

On January 10, 2007, after 7 different hearing dates since October 2001, a parole hearing was finally held, even after an attempt by a Parole Board Commissioner to "continue" the hearing the day before the 8th scheduled date. Our family would like to thank the Governor's Crime Victim's Advocate, who was very helpful in ensuring that the hearing was held as scheduled.
Your nephew, Mike, & myself along with my husband, traveled from Nevada & California to the Calif. Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo and, though we had to face and listen to your murderer for almost 2 hours, he will remain in prison for another 2 years.
We took with us some wonderful photos of you as a young man playing the bagpipes and on your wedding day to our aunt, who died at such an early age. Such happy times! One of my favorite memories as a child was the holidays when you always took up the bagpipes after dinner and we all march up and down the street behind you - what fun.
We will continue to fight the fight you cannot. My brother and I will travel to the ends of the earth for every hearing held, no matter how many cancellations or postponements there are, until your murderer is carried out in a body bag.
We love you, think of you every day, and will not forget what was done to you.
Pat

Pat - Ian Campbell's niece
Ian Campbell's Niece

January 17, 2007

We're still fighting for you. We'll always fight for you. Powell is in for another two years thanks to our perseverance. We love you!

Andrea

January 11, 2007

This week, it was bittersweet for me when I learned that once again Gregory Powell had been denied parole. Why am I not surprised that they are both presently in prison ( even though Jimmy Smith had been paroled )????? R I P Devil Dawg.................

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

January 11, 2007

WHAT IS A COP?

Cops are human ( believe it or not) just like the rest of us. They come in both sexes but mostly male. They also come in various sizes. This sometimes depends on whether you are looking for one or trying to hide something. However, they are mostly big.

Cops are found everywhere-on land, on the sea, in the air, on horses, in cars, sometimes in your hair. In spite of the fact that "you can't find one when you want one", they are usually there when it counts most. The best way to get one is to pick up the phone.

Cops deliver lectures, babies, and bad news. They are required to have the wisdom of Solomon, the disposition of a lamb and muscles of steel and are often accused of having a heart to match. He's the one who rings the door-bell, swallows hard and announces the passing of a loved one; then spends the rest of the day wondering why he ever took such a "crummy" job.

On TV, a cop is an oaf who couldn't find a bull fiddle in a telephone booth. In real life he's expected to find a little blond boy "about so high" in a crowd of a half million people. In fiction, he gets help from private eyes, reporters, and who-dun-it fans." In real life, mostly all he gets from the public is "I didn't see nuttin'."

When he serves a summons, he's a monster. If he lets you go, he's a doll. To little kids, he's either a friend or a bogeyman, depending on how the parents feel about it. He works "around the clock", split shifts, Sundays and holidays, and it always kills him when a joker says. "Hey tomorrow is Election Day, I'm off, let's go fishing" (that's the day he works 20 hours).

A cop is like the little girl, who, when she was good, was very, very good, but, when she was bad, was horrid. When a cop is good, "he's getting paid for it." When he makes a mistake, "he's a grafter, and that goes for the rest of them too." When he shoots a stick-up man he's a hero, except when the stick-up man is "only a kid, anybody coulda seen that."

Lots of them have homes, some of them covered with ivy, but most of them covered with mortgages. If he drives a big car, he's a chiseler; a little car, "who's he kidding?" His credit is good; this is very helpful, because his salary isn't. Cops raise lots of kids; most of them belong to other people.

A cop sees more misery, bloodshed, trouble, and sunrises than the average person. Like the postman, cops must also be out in all kinds of weather. His uniform changes with the climate, but his outlook on life remains about the same: mostly a blank, but hoping for a better world.

Cops like days off, vacations, and coffee. They don't like auto horns, family fights, and anonymous letter writers. They have unions, but they can't strike. They must be impartial, courteous, and always remember the slogan "At your service." This is sometimes hard, especially when a character reminds him, "I'm a taxpayer, I pay your salary."

Cops get medals for saving lives, stopping runaway horses, and shooting it out with the bandits (once in a while his widow gets the medal). But sometimes, the most rewarding moment comes when, after some small kindness to an older person, he feels the warm hand clasp, looks into grateful eyes and hears, "Thank you and God bless you, son."

Robert A. Miller Jr.
Michigan State Police - Retired

October 18, 2006

Dear Ian;
I am currently nearing the end of the book by Wambaugh for what has to be the tenth or eleventh time. I read it first as a teenager, and it was part of my inspiration to become a police officer. I wanted to help rid the world of monsters like Smith and Powell, for if they had the nerve to do what they did to two armed officers, they were truly dangerous. What else could you have done? Karl and you did what I believe any sane person would have under the circumstances. Unfortunately, of the two individuals faced, one was a gutless coward and the other a pyschopath. Karl seems to have needlessly spent the rest of his life punishing himself for what happened, and by now you have told him this. I know about carrying guilt, carrying pain inside. It changes a man, as it did him. 19 years after you were killed, I found myself on the ground in a housing project with a much larger man on top of me, grappling for my sidearm. Thankfully the holster had twisted to the front and so I was lying on top of it as he choked me with one arm and fumbled for my gun with the other. I was able to put out a call for ssistance via the handy talkie I had on my shirt, and though it took nearly five minutes for help to arrive I wasn't seriously injured, save the blue marks on my face that the doc said were a result of oxygen restriction to the brain. That all came back to me tonight in a rush as I read through the account of Karl's and your kidnapping. What terror you must have felt! What terror I felt that night I too! I have never really admitted that to myself or anyone else. Why did it come back tonight all these years later, after reading your story? I was scared.... yeah, I was. So scared I left something I wanted to do since I was a kid. I've been divorced twice, and am surviving in a menial job. I wonder if what happened to me was the core cause of how I have turned out..but this isn't about me, not really. Oh, I guess I needed to get this out, to say it where someone could read it, but I mainly wanted to say thank you, Officer Campbell. Thank you for being so brave, right to the end. And thank Karl for me too, okay? That's the main thing. He was the TRULY brave one, you see. I can honestly say I know what he felt that night....and I damn sure don't blame him a bit for having trouble with it. Rest in peace, gentlemen. And, thanks for listening.

Sgt Thomas _________

October 5, 2006

43 years Ian and never forgotten. Karl you too were a victim. May you both rest in peace.


Ride Along


So you don’t like the ticket I just gave you.
Well, come take a ride with me.
A trip to the scene of an accident.
Where a person now struggles for freedom, and for life.
All because someone was in a hurry, or late for work.

You say you didn’t call me and you don’t need my help.
That this is a family matter and none of my business.
Come take a ride with me.
Where a child now cowers in the nearest corner, or bedroom closet.
They cover their ears and ask god “ please make them stop”.
Still think no one needs my help.

You’ve said all we do is eat donuts and drink coffee.
Come take a ride with me.
On the countless days after taking four calls in an hour.
We think we have time to sit down for dinner.
Only to be call away again.

You think we’re cold and have no heart.
Well, come take a ride with me.
To a place where the pipes now lay to rest.
A brother or sister who gave their life, for someone like you.
A place where tears fall like rain for their family,
For our family, and yes even for you.
Yeah, come take a ride with me.

Sgt. Doug Sweet LAPD from 1961-1986
Los Angeles Police - Wilshire & Hollywood Divisions

September 5, 2006

Officer Campbell, I remember reading the Onion Field book and shortly thereafter watching the movie when I was in high school. I was amazed by what a tragedy this was to your family and your LAPD family. I have never forgotten that book and the story of heroes that goes along with it and it will forever stay with me throughout my law enforcement career. Thank you and Officer Hettinger for a dedicated and brave tour of duty and you will never be forgotten.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

August 17, 2006

SCOTLAND THE BRAVE! Rest In Peace Officer Campbell from a fellow piper.

EWC John M. Mumper, USNR (Ret.)
Fellow Piper

August 5, 2006

After recently reading and watching the movie the Onion Field, I learned so much about a horrible crime and our justice system that I did not know. My family and I were riveted to the screen. It touched us deeply. Just know that you will not be forgotten and that there are many private citizens that appreciate and respect all that law enforcement does to keep us safe. We shall not take it for granted. B.J. Bathrick

B.J. Bathrick
private citizen

July 5, 2006

“When God made Peace Officers….”

When the lord was creating Peace Officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, Have you read the spec on this order? A Peace Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn’t touch, and not wrinkle their uniform.

They have to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day.

They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half- eaten meals. And they have to have six pairs of hands.

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands….No Way.”

“It’s not the hands that are causing me the problems,” said the Lord, “It’s the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have.”

That’s on the standard model? asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, “May I see what’s in there sir?” (When they already know and wishes they had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of their head for their partners’ safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, “ You’ll be alright ma’am, when they know it isn’t so.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve,” rest and work tomorrow.”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on civil service paycheck.”

The angel circled the model of the Peace Officer very slowly, “Can it think?” she asked.

“You bet,” said the Lord, “It can tell you elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in it’s sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five judges to debate the legality of the stop…and still it keeps it’s sense of humor.

This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with crime scenes painted in HELL, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim’s family’ and then read in the daily paper how Law Enforcement isn’t sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Peace Officer. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model.”

“That’s not a leak,” said the Lord, “It’s a tear.”

“What’s the tear for?” asked the angel.

“It’s for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, and for justice.”

“You’re a genius,” said the angel.

The Lord looked sober. “I didn’t put it there,” he said.


Anonymous

Anonymous

June 19, 2006

Rest in Peace dear son, husband, father and friend to many. May God craddle you in His loving arms.

June 14, 2006

The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint."

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell

A Grateful Citizen

June 14, 2006

Ian Campbell was an accomplished player of the Scottish bagpipes. He was cruelly taken from this world in an infamous crime. Reading the book "The Onion Field" in 1975 that tells something of his life helped inspire me to learn to play the pipes, too. Being a piper has brought lifelong friends and a loving wife into my life. I owe Ian a great debt and hope that on the other side, he is aware of my gratitude. I have arranged for him to be enrolled among the Who's Who in Bagpiping online resource:

http://bagpipejourney.com/articles/whoswho.shtml

I send my best wishes to Ian's friends and family. He is missed, but not forgotten, even to friends he never met. Requiescat in pace. Ne obliviscaris!

Kevin Hendryx
fellow bagpiper

May 5, 2006

I am currently completing my application packet for a career with the LAPD and I am also a college student. Today in class, my teacher who is a retired LAPD officer, told us the story of Officer Campbell and and his partner Officer Hettinger. As an LAPD officer hopeful, as I sat listening to the story, I could not help but think that this tragedy was something out of a movie script. I was speechless and frighetened. Nevertheless, it gave me even more inspitration to become a police officer. Officer Campbell, Officer Hettinger, you did not die in vain. You have given people like me inspiration to get out there in the streets and lock up criminals. Both of you are my guides.

Cairo Valle
LAPD officer hopeful

March 14, 2006

My father (Los Angeles Detective: Robert M. Endler) was asked to notify your family of your death, on the night of your murder by a criminal. My mother told me that he came home visibly shaken and emotionally drained. He told her that he hoped that he would never have to do anything like that again.
Ironically, 11 months later he and his partner (Los Angeles Detective Sergeant: Charles P. Monaghan) were also gunned down at the hands of a criminal, and I'm sure that the officer(s) that had to deliver this terrible news to our families, felt the same way, when they arrived safely at home to their loved ones.

How many people go to their jobs each day with the understanding that there is a possibility that they may not be returning home at the end of their shift?

A police officer doesn't dwell on the negative possibilities of their job, but rather the opportunities that they are given each day to create a safe place for their families, friends, and everyone in the community who have the same goals for their own family and friends.

We appreciate your sacrifice, and we will never forget you.

Craig Endler

December 31, 2005

The only thing that I have to remember you by are family member's memories, some old pictures and old letters. Everything that I have will be passed down to your namesake, your great-grandson...my son, Ian. You are thought of every day by so many and were loved by so many. Although I never got to meet you, I know I will one day. Your life was taken to abruptly and too pre-maturely. We will forever remember you and love you.

Andrea

December 13, 2005