This year we shook things up a bit by having the Twice a Citizen banquet at the historic Avalon in Hollywood, and we do hope you enjoyed that special evening. This iconic nightclub first opened in 1927 and was originally known as the Hollywood Playhouse, and it was quite a treat to have our event there.
The evening honored our sworn Los Angeles reserve police officers and specialist volunteers and recognized the Reserve Officers of the Year. Congratulations to them all, including Department Reserve Officer of the Year Bernard Khalili, who was also presented with the French Medaille d’honneur de la Police Nationale (Honor Medal of National Police) — the first time the award has been given to a law enforcement officer in the United States.
It was an honor and privilege to pay tribute to our Twice a Citizen Community Leader Kent McCord, and to recognize the legacy of Adam-12 and what Mr. McCord and Martin Milner (in memoriam) have done for law enforcement. It’s a great understatement to say that generations of LAPD officers, both full-time and reserve, and law enforcement officers around the world, were inspired to become peace officers because of Jim Reed (Kent McCord), Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) and Jack Webb’s Adam-12.
Thanks to venerable television and film veterans Patricia Heaton and Robert Hayes for serving as our mistress and master of ceremonies. The ever-vivacious Kelly Nelson once again conducted our live auction and did an outstanding job! Thanks to everyone who participated, and we hope you had a chance to try Dan Aykroyd’s Crystal Head Skull Vodka cocktail!
We also thank Chief of Police and Honorary Chairperson Charlie Beck. At the banquet, we presented him with the Friedman Award, named after longtime Reserve Officer and LAPRF Secretary Andrea Friedman, for his steadfast leadership in support of the Reserve Corps.
At the banquet, the new reserve recruitment video was revealed, featuring Dr. Shaquille O’Neal. The spot is part of the new “RE/serve” campaign supported by the LAPRF, which will highlight the reserve program and encourage candidates to apply.
As we’ve always said, “A foundation is only as strong as the cause that it represents.” With this in mind, we are committed to making the LAPD Reserve Corps as strong as possible, and now also to growing the Corps further. In particular, we wish to thank Lieutenant Darnell Davenport for his leadership as OIC of the Reserve Section and Youth Education Section. He, like Chief Beck, started his law enforcement career with the LAPD Reserve Corps, and brings a perspective and commitment that has been invaluable to our cause.
As we reported in the last issue, the LAPRF has been named a Top-Rated Nonprofit by GreatNonprofits for the second year in a row! The LAPRF was also approved to be a participating charity in eScrip.com’s popular program, where consumers can automatically donate to the LAPRF while making everyday purchases. Please see page 13 for information on all the ways you can easily donate! And please tell your friends! Furthering our efforts in building a stronger nonprofit organization, we are happy to be working with Rob Hollman of Rosinante Group Advisors, LLC. We also thank Scherr Lillico and the Proper Image Events team for once again taking on the monumental task of organizing the Twice a Citizen banquet and the evening’s fundraising efforts.
One of our new initiatives this year is a scholarship program, giving active LAPD reserve officers and their children financial assistance toward their academic goals with the Los Angeles Police Reserve Foundation Emeritus Scholarship. This initiative adds to the recruitment, equipment, training and education funding programs. Please see our website, www.laprf.org, for more details.
On behalf of our Board of Directors, we thank you for your service and for your support. Be safe.