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HOURS OF OPERATION:
Monday through Friday
10:00am to 4:00 pm
Third Saturday of the Month
9:00 am to 3:00 pm |
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Museum Admission Fees:
General (ages 13 to 61) $8.00
Seniors (62+) $7.00
Children (12 and younger) Free
Members Free |
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| *All children
must be accompanied by an adult. |
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| Free parking is available on the east and west side of the building. |
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| For Group Tour Information, Please Call (877) 714-LAPD |
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Bi-monthly Newsletter No. 27 January/February 2008 |
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| WE FEW, WE HAPPY FEW… |
We Band of Brothers,
A Paratrooper Turned Policeman By: Glynn Martin
Executive Director |
| Since the formation of the
LAPD shortly after the close of the
civil war, there has been a close
link between the department and
the military. Our uniforms have followed
in the style of the armed
forces. And, our men and women
have served before, during and
after their tenures with the department.
In the aftermath of 9-11,
more than 200 were activated
from the ranks of LAPD. Now, 27
LAPD officers are on active duty in
places like Iraq and Afghanistan.
These far away places are by
no means the only foreign lands that officers
were called to serve. More than sixty years ago,
scores served in the European and Pacific theaters
of World War II. It was in the conflicts of DDay
and the Battle of the Bulge that seasoned a
UCLA student-athlete for his future in the LAPD.
In recent years, a book and ensuing television
mini-series brought the heroic acts of an army
and LAPD veteran to the forefront. Most recognize
his name as one of the main characters in
Band of Brothers, but his history is not confined
to military annals. His is a story of Los Angeles,
and of the LAPD.
Lynn “Buck” Compton, a native Angeleno,
starred in football and baseball at UCLA. The day
following his 21st birthday he played in a Rose
Bowl game. He went on to earn All-American
honors on the baseball diamond while playing
alongside Jackie Robinson. Before the next Rose
Bowl, he was called to service with
a group of men who would
become known as the Band of
Brothers, Easy Company, 506th
Parachute Infantry Regiment,
101st Airborne Division.
The book and the miniseries
detail some of the heaviest fighting
in which our country engaged in
Europe during the Second World
War. A story of a group of dedicated
paratroopers played out against a
backdrop of anti-aircraft and
artillery fire. Buck was wounded in
combat and awarded the Purple
Heart. For heroism, Buck earned a Silver Star and
a Presidential Unit Citation. These were experiences
that drive individuals to various pursuits. It
drove Buck Compton to a life of public service.
Compton’s service started here, with the
LAPD. Buck Compton joined the LAPD in 1947
working as a patrol officer and playing baseball
for the Department’s team. The team was of a
semi-pro variety, populated by former major and
minor league players. Their schedule included a
stop in Chicago to play a benefit game billed as
the United States police championships.
Thousands turned out at Wrigley Field to watch
and support the relief fund of the Chicago Police
Department. LAPD swept the three-game series. |
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| In his tenure with the LAPD, Buck left patrol
for an assignment at the Central Burglary Detail,
then finally he left us entirely. Buck was attending
Loyola Law School, and in 1951 Buck
moved on to the Office of the District Attorney.
Buck rose through the ranks, and finally earned
a post as the Chief Deputy District Attorney. After
the tragic 1968 slaying of Robert F. Kennedy,
Buck Compton was chosen to prosecute Sirhan
Sirhan. Buck Compton may not have landed the
biggest cases in LAPD history while he was a cop,
but he landed one at the DA’s office.
The investigation of the RFK assassination
was a massive undertaking. More than 4,800
interviews were conducted, some 2,900 photos
exist and as the California State Archives
describes, “…a bewildering number and variety
of audio and videotapes” were made. From all of
this, Buck Compton, aided by investigators from
his former employer, secured a conviction. Forty
years later the assassin remains imprisoned.
The RFK case remains the largest investigation
of a single homicide in LAPD history.
Not long after the conviction of Sirhan Sirhan,
Buck Compton was summoned for more public
service by another great Californian, Ronald
Reagan. Buck was appointed to the Court of
Appeals where he loyally served until 1990.
Buck rendered more than 2,000 opinions while
seated on the bench. Serving the state seemed
to complete a historic career. It was a career
path that covered national, state, city and
county service. He logged victories on ball fields
and battle fields and in station houses and court
houses. His story will soon be detailed in a
book. Buck’s biography is due to for release in
the coming months. The cover photo depicts Lt.
Compton during his army days. Our photo
shows Officer Compton during his LAPD service,
the paratrooper turned policeman. |
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| What’s
Happening at Old Number 11 By: Glynn Martin
Executive Director |
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If the museum had a throttle,
it would be fully engaged.
Pedal to the metal. That’s how
this year’s operations have
started, and this is why. We
are hosting our Chief’s Circle
luncheon at the California
Club to honor those who
support us at a high level of
giving. Chief Bratton has
graciously volunteered to
address the group and
retired Chief Daryl Gates
has volunteered to host
the event with one of our
thoughtful Directors,
Russ Colvin.
Around the same
time we will be rolling
out our first challenge
coin. The design will
be unveiled shortly,
and the coins will be
available for purchase
through the Historical Society. Shortly
after this, the restoration of the 1955 paddy
wagon will conclude, and we will have the vehicle
on-site for display.
While all of this is going on, we have
arranged our first special event for the year, and
it is an evening that we are proud to announce.
LA Confidential: Behind the Scenes with
James Ellroy and retired Chief Daryl Gates.
We will host a screening of the movie LA
Confidential at 7 p.m. on April 2, 2008, at
Paramount Studios. James Ellroy, the book’s
author, will provide his comments about the
fifties-era fictional LAPD, and Chief Gates will
offer his insight about the real Parker-era
Department. Included in the fifty-dollar ticket
price are refreshments and a paperback copy of
LA Confidential, which the author will be available
to sign. Tickets are only available through
the Historical Society, so
stop by or phone us at
(323) 344-9445.
Not long after the
special screening, we
will be participating in
the annual Museums of
the Arroyo Day festivities.
On May 18, we will
join five other local museums
and host visitors free
of charge. Shuttle buses
will use our parking lot for
two different museum
routes. One route will take
visitors to the Pasadena
Museum of History and the
Gamble House. The other will
transport folks to the
Southwest Museum, the
Lummis Home and Heritage
Square. Both shuttle lines
cover the LAPM museum. Last
year we had scores of visitors.
This is truly a great way to visit
some interesting local museums.
We will be open from 11 to 5, and this will be the
only Sunday during the year that we are open.
We hope you can stop in.
As we plan these events, we are also working
closely with the DEA. They are planning to open
a significant exhibit at the California Museum of
Science and Industry later this year. Scheduled
for August, 2008, their exhibit will showcase
both the national and local history of narcotics
enforcement. We have been working to support
their efforts for some time now, and are looking
forward to seeing our research and material on
display. |
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| When we are not traveling full speed down
these roads, we remain busy with tour groups,
research, speaking engagements and
the occasional visits from VIP’s. Recently
we have had the good fortune to visit
with Mrs. Jack Webb and her grandson
Miguel. We also visited with relatives of
two legendary members of 1920s LAPD,
Ervis Lester and Oscar Bayer. Deputy
Chief Lester’s great grandson stopped in
to share some of the experiences he
enjoyed with his great grandfather. Oscar
Bayer, Jr. and his brother Roy and their
families came by and shared a scrapbook
with us. Both of these officers had
storied careers, and we were pleased to
learn more about their service. |
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| The future paid a visit to the past recently. This group of Police Academy Magnet students from Reseda High took in the rich history of the LAPD during their January museum tour. |
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