Los Angeles Police Historical Society
Bi-monthly Newsletter No. 7 July/August 2004
CALLING
ALL COLLECTORS
By
Tom Hays,
LAPD (retired) LAPHS Chairman
One only has
to go to any rummage sale or swap meet and watch people
pawing through the mountains of old collectibles to
realize that there is probably a collector for virtually
everything man has ever made. I personally collect antique
stereoscope views, old postcards but only candid views
of American cities (I'm very fussy), Titanic memorabilia
and printed material on the famous and unsolved, I might
add, Lizzie Borden double ax murders in 1892, of which
I have close to 40 books and newspapers.
About a month ago while staffing
the Histstorical Society's Mobile Museum at the LAPD
Valley Traffic Safety Fair in Balboa Park, I was approached
by a young man by the name of Joe Fox. He indicated
that while he was not a police officer, he was very
interested in our Museum and had previously visited
it. He then gave me his card indicating that he was
a "collector of handcuffs - jail locks and Houdiniana,"
an obvious reference to the great escape artist Houdini
who cheated death on many occasions by escaping from
seemingly inescapable shackles. Joe indicated that he
has long been fascinated by such collectibles and has
amassed hundreds of such artifacts going back many years.
Our conversation quickly turned to whether he would
like to help us "enhance" our jail area at
the old Highland Park Station to which he enthusiastically
agreed. He said that he had lots of items that would
make for interesting displays and he would be
A
few of the restraint devices on display at the
LAPD Museum from the extensive collection of Joseph
A. Fox
(joefox@wgn.net)
delighted
to bring them to our Museum and arrange them under
our guidance so that the public and law enforcement
personnel could enjoy what he has acquired through
the years. This fascinating display has just been
completed and will be on indefinite loan here at
the Museum, further enhancing the focus of what
we are striving to accomplish. This fortuitous meeting
with Joe Fox made us realize that there are probably
many more collectors out there who have spent a
good deal of time and money picking up police related
collectibles. It's pretty commonly known that fire
and police equipment and memorabilia are highly
sought after... and not cheap! My dad and grandfather
were firefighters, and I have a 19th century Gamewell
oak and brass firehouse alarm gong that is highly
collectible hanging in my stairwell along with family
fire department photos. You rarely see them on the
market. I know, for example, that there are many
avid badge and patch collectors out there as I was
frequently contacted for such things when I worked
at the Police Academy. How about it? If you have
anything that you feel would make an interesting
display at the Museum, give us a call. We've got
the room and would really like to augment those
things that
we own by having
a "loaned or traveling collection"
of items like many of the other history and
art museums have. Appropriate acknowledgement
of the
(continued
on page 3)
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WHAT'S
HAPPENING
AT OLD # 11…
By
Dave Dalton, Executive Director
Several months ago, LAPHS was invited
to collaborate with the Ronald Reagan Presidential
Library and Museum in Simi Valley
to help curate a major display which is
under construction inside a new pavilion.
Slated to open in Fall 1905, the exhibit
will feature Air Force One, Marine One,
an F-14 fighter jet and President Reagan's
limousine, along with a mini-motorcade involving
LAPD vehicles and personnel. LAPHS has acquired
the requested 1984-vintage police car and
two motorcycles. LAPD Motor Transport Division
is doing the complete restoration of the
vehicles…and they look magnificent!
They will be authentic in every detail.
We have also been acquiring uniforms and
equipment from LAPD personnel who played
significant roles during President Reagan's
tenure in office. For example, Sergeant
John Martin led the
(continued on page 2)
What's Happening
at Old #11 ... (continued.)
Motorcade Detail for several years;
we already have his complete uniform and all his equipment.
There will also be an LAPD S.W.A.T. vehicle (Suburban)
replete with officers and equipment. Custom mannequins
representing the involved officers are being created to
display their uniforms and equipment. Talk about being
immortalized! On September 20th LAPHS will deliver the
restored vehicles to the Reagan Museum in full motorcade
fashion amid considerable pomp and circumstance; a major
media event is being planned for the occasion. What a
great honor and privilege to be part of a permanent exhibit
featuring one of our greatest presidents ever…Ronald
Reagan. By the way, the Reagan Trust commissioned this
exhibit with specific instructions from President Reagan
himself that LAPD should be the featured police department.
Out of all the agencies that could have been selected,
President Reagan chose the BEST…LAPD!
The Los Angeles Police Historical
Society hosted the Eleventh Annual Jack Webb Awards
at the fabulous Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles
on June 30th. This annual fundraising event is designed
to honor two categories of recipients—members
of the community at large, and, starting in 1903, a
category designed specifically to honor one sworn and
one non-sworn member of the LAPD. Selections are made
by the LAPHS Board of Directors based upon each individual's
support of LAPD and LAPHS goals and objectives, personal
influence and involvement, strength of character, dedication,
loyalty, integrity, honor, teamwork, and selfless
service
and excellence…all of which the Jack Webb Award
embodies. Simply stated,the honorees selected represent
the "best of the best!"
This year's honorees, (photo below)
from left to right: Paul D. Bardon, Director of Police
Transportation II, Motor Transport Division; Lt. Robert
Green, Officer-In-Charge, LAPD Bomb Squad; Ms. Leticia
Aguilar, President, Bank of America Central Los Angeles
Market,and Consumer Executive, Greater Los Angeles
and Central California Division; Ms. Marguerite P.
Justice, Community Leader and former Los Angeles Police
Commissioner; and Mr. Foster S. Dennis, President,
California Paving and Grading Company, Inc.
Each of these honorees steps up
to the plate every day and makes a difference in spite
of challenges or obstacles, putting their personal
agendas aside for a greater purpose. Their word consistently
translates to action, backed by their personal commitment
and a clear vision for what can and should be achieved.
LAPHS has
accelerated the development of two places of honor in
which Memorial bricks are being installed. In cooperation
with the Los Angeles Police Revolver and Athletic Club
(LAPRAAC), an expanded plot has been created at the
entrance to the flag courtyard at the Police Academy
for a "Walk of Remembrance." The first photo
(below) depicts the newly completed plot with over 300
bricks already permanently installed.
The
second photo (on the right) shows the "Wall of
Remembrance" at the Los Angeles Police Museum
and Community Education Center in Highland Park. Both
areas have been designed to allow a significant number
of additions. Memorial bricks can be purchased for
any number of reasons:
to commemorate one's career; in memory of a loved
one, a family member, or a friend; for company recognition
as a Museum supporter; "Chief's Circle"
members/donors; in memory of a fallen officer; in
memory of a retired officer or civilian employee;
as a family tribute; etc. Bricks can be purchased
from LAPHS individually for $100 or two for $150.
For engraving purposes, both bricks ordered together
must have identical wording.
If only one brick is
ordered, you may select the location at which your brick
is installed. Chief's Circle members, i.e. those whose
annual support to LAPHS is $1,000 or more, are entitled
to one free brick per donation year. Order in person at
the LAPD Museum, place an order by telephone, order by
fax or visit the LAPHS website at www.laphs.com. Call
(323) 344-9445 for information
"It is not
the critic who counts; not the man who points out how
the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could
have done them better. The credit belongs to the man in
the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and
blood; who strives valiantly…who knows the great
enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in
a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph
of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails,
at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place
will never be with those cold and timid souls who have
never known neither victory nor defeat."
- Teddy Roosevelt
By
Dave Dalton
Policeman
II Michael Joseph Regan, Serial #2356, passed away on
Saturday, July 24, 1904, in Los Angeles. Michael was born
in San Francisco on September 28, 1917. He was appointed
to the Los Angeles Police Department on January 6, 1941
and retired on December 1, 1964; he was last assigned
to Hollywood Area. Mike's LAPD service was temporarily
interrupted when he was drafted into the U.S. Army during
WWII. He served in the European Theatre of operations
and participated in countless major battles; he was awarded
the Bronze Star for heroism. Mike also served as past
Commander, American Legion Police Post 381, and he remained
active in Legion activities throughout his life. After
retiring with 24 years of LAPD service, Mike was appointed
as the Emergency Services Coordinator for the City of
Los Angeles. He served brilliantly in this capacity for
20 years, retiring in 1988.
Since
1989, Michael has been Chief Historian (a volunteer
position) for the Los Angeles Police Historical Society.
Mike was one of those rare individuals who had complete,
perfect recall of past events, people, dates, etc. You
could ask him anything, about any time or place in LAPD's
history, and Mike could cite facts, details, dates,
and the
persons involved...with absolute
certainty…strictly from memory! Mike was also
a wonderful storyteller, and he loved to spin a yarn—just
ask his children. Ever a true Irishman, Mike loved Gaelic
music, traditions and folklore, filling his life and
his home with rich, vibrant memories. Michael is survived
by his beautiful wife of 49+ years, Margery, and their
three sons: Michael Jr., Dennis and Kevin. Mike and
Margery are also blessed with seven grandchildren. They
have lived in the same Highland Park home for nearly
48 years.
Even
during periods of recent, grave illness and subsequent
recovery, Mike would insist on coming into the LAPD
Museum to volunteer. And come he would…whether
on a chair with rollers, on a walker or in a wheelchair…he
would be there, in a place he dearly loved. Mike was
never a quitter! Reverend Father Michael McCullough
conducted a beautiful Funeral Mass on Friday, July
30th, at Saint Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in
Los Angeles to celebrate Mike's rich life of service
to his family, his country and his beloved LAPD. Mike
was then laid to rest in Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills,
to the accompaniment of full Department and Military
honors.
-------------------------
Calling All
Collectors (Continued)
owners
of the collection would be posted; 12the duration
of the display would be mutually decided.
Think about it. What's the fun
of having those neat things if you can't share their
fascination with others? And the best thing is that
at the same time you will be helping us bolster the
drawing power of your L.A.P.D. Police Museum. As I
have said before, "this is not the Board of Director's
Museum, it belongs to all of us sworn officers and
civilians who have been fortunate to be members of
this great Department and who have contributed to
its evolution and history.
