Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I was 12 years old and living in Ventura on the day that Officer Campbell gave his “last full measure of devotion” and Officer Hettinger’s life was so irrevocably altered. The tragic news rocked my world as I grappled with the realization that members of the LE community are not invincible and don’t always “win” like Hollywood would have us believe. Just as in the loss of close loved ones, no matter the years that have passed, at times the magnitude of Officer Campbell’s death washes through raw as though yesterday. To both these brave officers, their families, and to all who have come before and will after, know that your dedicated service and daily unseen sacrifices, your unrelenting courage in protection of our communities, shall forever be honored in our collective memory.

Christine Ertman

January 14, 2022

Ian Campbell, God bless your soul. I will never forget your sacrifice. In this day and age, a name like George Floyd is a household name, but, sadly, Ian's isn't. God bless your soul and cradle it for all eternity.

Antonio Acevedo

May 26, 2021

To the NC Officer Reflection of March 9, 2020....Thank you for saying what is in my heart, and the hearts of many law enforcement officers who have walked a beat and fought the fight and wondered, at the end of the day, why wasn’t it me, why wasn’t I “The One”. Why was it him, Officer Campbell? We’ll never know the answer. Thank you again for your service and sacrifice. Rest in Eternal Peace, Brother.

Lori Cleeland-Herian
OCSD, Deputy Sheriff, Retired

April 2, 2021

As always no passage of time will ever erase your sacrifice and your service to the people of Los Angeles. Rest in peace always and may God always bless your family.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

March 10, 2021

Rest in peace Policeman Campbell.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 14, 2020

Rest in peace. You gave the full measure of duty.

Patrolman William Gomola
Bay village Ohio Police Department

December 3, 2020

God bless you, Ian. Although we never knew each other, you're a brother officer and I think of you often.

Retired officer John Frascello
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office...Florida

November 9, 2020

To the family of Officer Hettenger and Officer Campbell, you are not forgotton and remain in the thoughts of many.

Inv. Dan Paidousis
Knoxville Tennessee Police Department

September 25, 2020

My dad, Ralph Alfred Anderson and my mom and brother [before I was adopted] lived next to either Ian or Karl. My parents died 20 years ago, so I can't remember. But as a girl I watched the Onion Field. They lived in Burbank and I have a picture of what may be the boy who played with my brother. Other pictures too. Just reaching out. Melissa Session. RIP

Sgt Det Ralph Alfred Anderson "Andy
Daughter of LASD Ralph Alfred Anderson 'Andy'

August 10, 2020

I learned of your untimely death having watched “The Onion Field.” The experience you and your brave partner endured was heartbreaking. To your family, know that people who never met you, regret the tragedy of a life full of promise was ended so wantonly. Thank you for your devoted service.
With love and sympathy,
Allison Roberts
May 14, 2020

Allison Roberts
No relationship

May 14, 2020

Officer Campbell,
Even though it’s been over half a century since you have passed you are still thought of even by people who never had the opportunity to meet you.
Your sacrifice served as a lesson that saved an untold number of officers lives. You and Officer Hettinger will remain in our prayers. May you both Rest In Peace.

Sgt. Brian Boney (Retired)
Alexandria, La. Police Department

March 30, 2020

Officer Campbell, it’s been a few years since I last left a reflection for you and your partner Officer Hettinger. On this anniversary of your untimely departure I’d like to just take a minute and once again say thank you to both you and Officer Hettinger for your service and for the true heroes you were. I see that your family visits this site and leaves reflections as well and to them, I’d like to say God Bless and know that Officer Campbell’s LE family thinks of him and Officer Hettinger every bit as much.

Cpl/3 Detective Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

March 9, 2020

Tragically, in our profession, there seems to be "the one" that starts the discussion. You were "the one" that started the discussion on giving up a weapon. How many policies were written because of you? How many hours of training were conducted because of you? How many "if this happens I'll do this and you do that" scenarios have been strategized between officers during lulls in shifts, because of you? I wish you had been exposed to those policies, attended those training hours, and had those strategy sessions with your partner before that night. But you couldn't, because you were "the one". And, in all likelihood, if you had, it would be because someone else before you would have been "the one".

How many of us are alive today because YOU were "the one"? I like to think where you are now, you know the answer to that. I like to think you know those of us who have been able to live full lives because you were "the one" that got the discussion started.

There have been others that started other discussions. Seven years after your incident (I say incident because I can't seem to see you as dead, when you have continued to touch so many lives, but yet I know you were cheated out of so much of your life), four fellow officers of the California Highway Patrol were "the ones" to start the discussion on "high risk vehicle stops".

I'm sorry there has to be "the one". I'm sorry it was you. I'm sorry it was Roger Gore, Walter Frago, George Alleyn and James Pence. I guess the old adage is true: "Someone has to walk the point".

My gratitude - our gratitude - is probably not much consolation for the life you and those like you were deprived of, but it's the best I can do. Thanks for be being "one" of "the one's".

Please know, 57 years later, we have not forgotten you.

NC Officer

March 9, 2020

In 1973 I worked Hollywood Station as a Reserve and saw his picture each tour.
Reminded by a partner not to give up my gun.

After I retired from the Sheriff’s Dept. I took a tour of the Museum and came away with more detail information about the occurrence that night.

Deputy Michael Jung
L.A. County Sheriif

April 22, 2019

56 years have passed since your End of Watch. You are honored and respected each day by not only the citizens of Los Angeles but by this grateful nation that continues to mourn for her son for laying down his life to preserve the freedom and safety of people. Rest well Officer Campbell. May God always cradle you in His loving arms.

Sent with utmost respect and gratitude,

Brandon J. Sullivan

March 9, 2019

56 years have passed since your End of Watch. You are honored and respected each day by not only the citizens of Los Angeles but by this grateful nation that continues to mourn for her son for laying down his life to preserve the freedom and safety of people. Rest well Officer Campbell. May God always cradle you in His loving arms.

Sent with utmost respect and gratitude,

Brandon J. Sullivan

March 9, 2019

Rest in peace young man, this brave officer was immortalized in the book and movie the “Onion Field” by Joseph Wambaugh.

Sergeant Michael R Nolte
Croton on Hudson New York police department

March 6, 2019

On Aug 5, 2006, I left a reflection on this site for you as a fellow piper. Since then, I'm afraid COPD & dentures brought an end to the piping bit (my son continues with my pipes as an EMT). But I can still play in my heart... and think of you. Continue to Rest in Peace Ian & all your Brothers & Sisters in blue.

EWC John Mumper
USN (Ret.)

December 29, 2018

My LAPD father installed a door in his garage to go to the backyard a few weeks before his murder. I had lunch with his two daughters in the house. I was 10 years old but I still remember the event. I think that is because I saw the reaction of my father while he was telling what had happened.

John Robert Miller
friend

July 11, 2018

Ian and I were friends. We both resided in Canoga Park and enjoyed landscaping in our off-duty hours. We talked about opening a landscape design business just prior to his death. The night before, we waved at each other as he passed by my unit at Wilcox and Sunset while heading for Hollywood station. The fatal night I was heading for downtown and was at the intersection of Rinaldi and Sepulveda Boulevard at 11:00 p.m. Later, I learned that he and Karl had been kidnapped and likely had passed that intersection within minutes of when I was there driving a B&W. I often wonder what I would have done if I'd seen him driving the old car n/b heading out of town, or if he might've signaled me. Would I have recognized that he was in dire trouble? And why the commander refused to broadcast Ian and Karl's disappearance in Hollywood in a timely manner I will never understand.

Lieutenant II Waid S. Woodruff #10787
LAPD

June 4, 2018

Sir, you sacrifice will never go unmentioned.

Patrol
FPD

March 11, 2018

RIP Sir. Your situation has provided countless law enforcement officers in many different departments with many thoughts on officer safety. You are definitely not forgotten for your sacrifice.

Deputy Sheriff LASD

March 9, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. You are honored and remembered on the 55th anniversary of your EOW.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

March 9, 2018

Thankful for the service of Officers Campbell and Hettinger. L.A.P.D. ... one of the finest agencies in California.

Timothy Liddell
CA Hwy Patrol (retired) 5342

February 15, 2018

For a short time, in the late 70's, it was my honor to serve in California Law Enforcement.
I was trained by well seasoned, fair minded, honorable officers.
Everything I learned, from them, has benefited me in some way throughout my life.

God Bless all of those who serve....

Jerry L Hooper
DHS

February 14, 2018