Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Both you and your partner Karl Hettenger are not forgotten. We never met but I did know Karl as well as CHP Officer Merv Christ and several others involved in the follow-up. Just this week I shared your story and your memory with a young Deputy U.S. Marshal. We agreed that the dedication, service and courage that lonely night in an onion field south of Bakersfield by you and your partner are not forgotten Sir.

Howard Eddy
KCSO / KCDA / BCDA, RET

December 19, 2017

WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN YOU SIR, GOD BLESS

J.JAYNES
Arizona State Troopers

November 5, 2017

God Bless you Valerie. A lot of time has passed. I hope peace follows you as the years progress.

I will never forget.

Lori Cleeland-Herian
OCSD, Deputy Sheriff, Retired

September 20, 2017

I read The Onion Field shortly after its release -- I was about 13 and a precocious reader. It may very well have been one of the first non-fiction crime stories I read. Though many would follow, none has attached itself to me like the tragedy of Ian Campbell and Karl Hettinger. Humanity lost a man with the soul of a poet, America lost a brave defender, two little girls lost their daddy, a wife - her husband, a mother - her son.

When I find myself thinking about Officer Campbell, I do not dwell on his death. In my mind's eye, he is tucking his children into bed, throwing a casual arm around his wife, visiting his mother...but most of all, he marches on a hill, a solitary piper expressing his sometimes melancholy soul.

In 1993, I gave birth to my son, Ian Campbell B-----. Part tribute to this fallen officer, part tribute to my own deceased brother, my Ian is a young man now, who makes music, who has a generous heart and innate honor, integrity, and empathy. I like to think he lives up to the name.

May God bless and keep you. Thank you for bravely and generously sharing your Ian with the world.

Kathleen

June 3, 2017

Ian Campbell did the best he could with the hand he was dealt. No one should argue that anything was better for those circumstances that what he dealt with. The
problem was not with Ian or Karl but with the bad people who committed the crimes. I am sorry that he was killed as a result of the actions of two bad characters. Glad that they dead; sorry that Ian died.

Rob Phillips
Citizen

March 31, 2017

I was about 14 years old when my uncle a Suffolk County Police Officer loaned me the onion field book.I red it twice and has always resonated in my mind how dangerous this job can be.I joined the NYCPD at the age of 20 years old.I worked in the 75th pct in East New York,LAPD OFFICERS IAN CAMPBELL AND KARL HETTINGERS sacrifice went through my mind every time my partner and I would conduct a motor vehicle stop.MAY GOD BLESS THE TWO OF YOU GREAT MEN,YOUR FAMILIES AND MAY YOU BOTH FINALLY REST IN HEAVEN. YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

Det.Richard J Pavese
RET.NYCPD DETECTIVE

March 9, 2017

My name is Lori Jauch, I am the granddaughter of Harvey Ross McAllister. He and Ian were very good friends, who played the pipes all the time together, my grandfather was Ians Protege, as well as a retired Sargent of the LAPD. My entire life I was told about the amazing man Ian was and a true friend to my grandfather, so much so that Ian's family asked my grandfather to play the pipes at Ian's funeral. My grandfather agreed but didn't feel he was "good enough" so my grandfather asked another friend John Nicols to play along side at Ian's funeral. I have a hug favor to ask of Ian's family and friends or the men and women who served with them If any one has any "proof" of my grandfather Harvey Ross Mcallister being one of the two pipers that day. The book and movie about the Onion Field only show one, but my grandfather has always said there were two, my grandfathers pipes are on display at the LAPD museum, but because there is no "proof" they have not mentioned he was playing that day. It is my goal to find that photo, letter or what ever i can acquire... please please i am asking for any information, im sorry to post here on a very special page but I am not sure How to find Ians family or officers who may still remember.

Lori Jauch G.daughter of sgt McAllister
Grandaughter

February 4, 2017

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

December 11, 2016

I know you're always with us, your family, but I really feel that you've been with us more so over the last week or so. Your name, your legacy, the story around your death has been discussed immensely. Sometimes when I'm talking to my son, your namesake, I know you're right there with us. For a little boy who's never met you here in this physical world, has such a strong, loving, sincere and genuine love and affection for you. Many do. Ian is proud of his name and always will be. RIP Grandpa. I know you're in heaven enjoying time with Grandma and looking down on your children and grandchildren. <3

Andrea Diebold
Granddaughter

April 15, 2016

Rest in Peace Ian and Karl

Captain Mark A. Drennen Sr.
Sunstates Security Post Commander

November 30, 2015

Over 52 years have passed since Ian and Karl were kidnapped at Carlos and Gower in Hollywood Division on March 9, 1963. I was a senior in High School and getting ready to join the Marine Corps. After serving our country for four years in the Corps, I joined the LAPD in 1967. My first day on the job, my partner, Carlos Martinez, took me to the intersection of Carlos and Gower and asked me if I knew what happened there in 1963. I remembered then and I remember now what happened to Ian and Karl that night. Over the years I always kept in mind the lessons learned from the onion field and I know that it saved many lives including mine. THANK YOU

On October 9, 2015 there will be a memorial service at Hollywood police station honoring the 8 officers from that division that have been killed in the line of duty. I will have the honor of remembering you and the others from Hollywood who died so that I could raise my family in peace and safety. May you and Karl know that your legacy will always be safe guarded by those who stood guard after you.

Semper Fidelis May Your Name Be Eternal

Retired Detective John E Miller #13738
Los Angeles Police Department

September 6, 2015

Officer Campbell saved many police lives as law enforcement agency's used this tragedy as a training tool. As a retired officer my partners and I discussed this situation many time.
Officer Campbell will live on in our memory forever.
RIP Brother.

Ronnie L Scragg, Captain Mounted Unit
Ontario Police Department

March 9, 2015

Today marks the 52nd anniversary of your brutal murder. You have become famous, in part thanks to the efforts of Joseph Wambaugh who memorialized your sacrifice in a wonderful book. This site has also made it clear, you are NOT forgotten.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

March 9, 2015

Dear Valerie, as Ian's eldest child, I read your reflection, and it meant so much to me. Thank you for your kind words of comfort to those of us in the law enforcement community who have personally experienced the loss of a partner and friend. I wish I could give you a warm hug! I know from experience that I would not have traded doing this job for anything else in this world. It is a calling. It is who you are. I am sure your father felt the same. I continue to wish you and your family peace and happiness! I know your father is looking down on you with love and pride!

Lori Cleeland-Herian
Deputy Sheriff, Retired, OCSD

February 8, 2015

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

October 29, 2014

On the night of March 9, 1963 I was working AID in Hollenbeck Division when a broadcast came over the police radio that shocked me. Two Hollywood Division officers, Ian Campbell and Karl Hettinger, had disappeared. There unmarked police car was parked at Gower and Carlos. Empty. At this point, let me say that Ian and I were personal friends, and Ian and his wife and baby daughter lived not far from my house on El Oro Way in Granada Hills. That evening, when I arrived downtown at the Police Administration Building (PAB), I realized to my chagrin, I'd left my service revolver at home. I only had my 2-inch snub-nose. I hurriedly dressed into my uniform, then went to the A.M. watch commander and told him my plight. He told me to get my partner, sign out a black-and-white, and get the hell home and retrieve my service piece. The point of this little tale is that my partner, he was driving, and I were stopped eastbound on Rinaldi Street waiting for a red tri-light at Sepulveda Boulevard (this was before the San Diego Freeway had opened). Sepulveda was the main road north out of Los Angeles. I later learned from Karl Hettinger’s account of what occurred, that Ian was forced to drive the suspects' car. Karl believed they likely drove north past Rinaldi around 11:00 p.m., which put them at the intersection quite close to the time my partner and I were there. Had I seen Ian driving north I would have recognized him in our headlights. I knew he was working a plainclothes assignment in Hollywood, as the night before I’d seen and waved at him as he turned left off Sunset to go southbound onto Wilcox Avenue in front of me. I was preparing to turn right from Wilcox onto Sunset. It wasn’t known until later what had happened to Ian and Karl, and there is a story there, too, regarding the delay in a broadcast being put out; but finally it did come out. Had it been timelier, I would've heard it; also, if I'd spied Ian driving north in a strange car, there might have been an entirely different ending to the tragic event and resultant horrifying death of my friend.

Lt. II Jess Waid Woodruff #10787
LAPD - Ian's neighbor and friend

June 22, 2014

My Father was an Los Angeles police officer at the time this happened and I think when he sat us down was for us to remember them and their sacrifice and to this day I haven't forgot either one. Ian J. Campbell and his partner were hero's for you, us and the LAPD forever.

still in my thoughts

Dave Grammer
a cops son

May 4, 2014

RIP Grandpa. You are thought about VERY often and are always in our hearts.

Andrea

March 11, 2014

May God Bless you Officer Ian Campbell and Officer Karl Hettinger. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. You both will always remain in my heart.

Deputy Sean Anglin
San Bernardino County Sheriff

January 22, 2014

A tragic loss for law enforcement and a loss to family and mankind

Ret. Federal Correctional Supervisor
Federal Bureau of Prisons

September 15, 2013

Never forgotten

FSGT Bill Kelmartin (Ret)
Prince William Co. PD (VA)

March 27, 2013

50 years but never forgotten! Ofcr. Ian Campbell and Ofcr. Karl Hettinger where forever in my memory as a young LAPD Officer working Hollywood Division and now as a veteran Federal Agent. My duty is to mentor the "New Centurions" coming up as to the heroic sacrifice made by these two officers so that they never be forgotten. May you rest in peace my brothers.

Special Agent J. Barrera (former LAPD)
United States Secret Service

March 19, 2013

You, Officer Campbell are the reason I became a police Officer

Lt. Lee Smith
West Virginia State Police

March 18, 2013

50 years have passed and you remain unforgotten. My continued condolences.

Raymond E. Atchley
NM Corrections Department

March 11, 2013

Today is the 50th anniversary of your death in the onion field. You would be pleased to know that the men who killed you both died in prison.

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice.

Sgt. Geoffrey W. Sjostrom
Oak Park, Illinois (retired)

March 9, 2013