A special thanks to our newest “old” friend, Cliff Armas.
Through an almost singular effort, Cliff Armas has managed to not only reestablish the Ian J. Campbell Memorial Trophy that is presented to the best aggregate piper in Grade 4, but also remember and re-memorialize Officer Ian J. Campbell himself.
Cliff is a veteran police officer of the Los Angeles Police Department and avid bagpiper since his introduction to the pipes about four years ago. Through these two avenues Cliff became involved
with the history of Officer Ian J. Campbell.
Ian Campbell was a Los Angeles Policeman who loved his ancestral bagpipes and would play them whenever he could, even at the police station, until his kidnap and execution in 1963, while on duty. During Ian’s funeral the bagpipes were played by his friend and fellow Officer, John L. Nichols, thusly establishing the tradition of bagpipes playing at the funeral of an LAPD Officer killed in the “Line of Duty”.
In 1965, the Los Angeles Police and Fire Protective League started the Ian J. Campbell Memorial Trophy for the best aggregate piper in the novice category at the Scottish Highland Games. This is the same event in which Ian won an award for his piping in 1949, while still in high school.
Through Cliff’s extraordinary efforts over more than a seven month period, and with the support of the Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipe Band and the Los Angeles Police Protective League, Cliff was able to reestablish the Memorial award at the Scottish Games. The honor of presenting the award for the first time in forty years fell to Ian’s daughter, Valerie Campbell on May 29, 2010. Cliff was solely instrumental in arranging all of the details, including asking Valerie for her participation in this endeavor. Cliff had never met or talked to Valerie before, and was concerned about approaching Valerie and causing old feelings and emotions to stir and upset her. The latter may have happened to a small degree, however, the very positive way that Cliff handled the event and his warm and caring presence far surpassed any negativity associated with this event.
Cliff did not stop here. As if this wasn’t enough, Cliff continued to remember and honor Ian himself. Cliff did extensive research, contacted many individuals and took trips to obtain facts necessary for a tribute to Officer Ian J. Campbell. Cliff put together a special video presentation of, not only Ian’s “end of watch” with LAPD, but of Ian’s life. In his caring way, Cliff honored
Valerie with the first showing of the video and a special plaque put together by him personally. He did such a great job collecting and presenting this Memorial that the Los Angeles Police Department took note and were honored, and happy to participate in showing Valerie how much it meant to the Department to remember her father and for her to participate in the events Cliff started and lined up.
These tremendous efforts on Cliff’s part not only honored a fallen hero, but Ian’s entire family.
Cliff Armas has quickly become a dear friend, not only for his efforts, but for his obvious caring, compassionate and positive ways and thoughts. Cliff has touched and honored the family of Ian J. Campbell in a deep and profound way which will never be forgotten.
Through an almost singular effort, Cliff Armas has managed to not only reestablish the Ian J. Campbell Memorial Trophy that is presented to the best aggregate piper in Grade 4, but also remember and re-memorialize Officer Ian J. Campbell himself.
Cliff is a veteran police officer of the Los Angeles Police Department and avid bagpiper since his introduction to the pipes about four years ago. Through these two avenues Cliff became involved
with the history of Officer Ian J. Campbell.Ian Campbell was a Los Angeles Policeman who loved his ancestral bagpipes and would play them whenever he could, even at the police station, until his kidnap and execution in 1963, while on duty. During Ian’s funeral the bagpipes were played by his friend and fellow Officer, John L. Nichols, thusly establishing the tradition of bagpipes playing at the funeral of an LAPD Officer killed in the “Line of Duty”.
In 1965, the Los Angeles Police and Fire Protective League started the Ian J. Campbell Memorial Trophy for the best aggregate piper in the novice category at the Scottish Highland Games. This is the same event in which Ian won an award for his piping in 1949, while still in high school.
Through Cliff’s extraordinary efforts over more than a seven month period, and with the support of the Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipe Band and the Los Angeles Police Protective League, Cliff was able to reestablish the Memorial award at the Scottish Games. The honor of presenting the award for the first time in forty years fell to Ian’s daughter, Valerie Campbell on May 29, 2010. Cliff was solely instrumental in arranging all of the details, including asking Valerie for her participation in this endeavor. Cliff had never met or talked to Valerie before, and was concerned about approaching Valerie and causing old feelings and emotions to stir and upset her. The latter may have happened to a small degree, however, the very positive way that Cliff handled the event and his warm and caring presence far surpassed any negativity associated with this event.
Cliff did not stop here. As if this wasn’t enough, Cliff continued to remember and honor Ian himself. Cliff did extensive research, contacted many individuals and took trips to obtain facts necessary for a tribute to Officer Ian J. Campbell. Cliff put together a special video presentation of, not only Ian’s “end of watch” with LAPD, but of Ian’s life. In his caring way, Cliff honored
Valerie with the first showing of the video and a special plaque put together by him personally. He did such a great job collecting and presenting this Memorial that the Los Angeles Police Department took note and were honored, and happy to participate in showing Valerie how much it meant to the Department to remember her father and for her to participate in the events Cliff started and lined up.These tremendous efforts on Cliff’s part not only honored a fallen hero, but Ian’s entire family.
Cliff Armas has quickly become a dear friend, not only for his efforts, but for his obvious caring, compassionate and positive ways and thoughts. Cliff has touched and honored the family of Ian J. Campbell in a deep and profound way which will never be forgotten.
Larry Moniz
I say ditto.....and Larry said Cliff will just have to deal with his embarrassment for a few minutes.
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