Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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

Ian Campbell died before I was born but his memory lives on in the distant isle where his mother was born. His mother kept in touch with my mother and I can't remember a time when I didn't know about the tragic death of Ian Campbell. His close knit family is a wonderful legacy and true testament of what a wonderful man he was. May he rest in peace and I hope his family draw comfort from all that remember him and send them words of rememberance and love.

Christina

January 22, 2013

The tide recedes but leaves behind bright seashells on the sand.
The sun goes down but gentle warmth still lingers on the land.
The music stops but still it echoes on in sweet refrains.
For every joy that passes, something beautiful remains...

Rest in peace, dear Officer Campbell.

Mary Ellen Barton
Alexandria, VA

September 28, 2012

May you rest in peace at last. Your killers have received the ultimate judgement.
Romans 13.4

Captain P.T. Williams
Durham, NC Police Department

August 15, 2012

God Bless

Dave
None

August 14, 2012

May you rest in peace, "No greater love, than one who would give his life for his fellow officers"
Lt. D. R. West "Retired"
Tarrant County Sheriff's Office
Fort Worth, Texas

Lieutenant "Retired"
Tarrant County Texas Sheriff's Office

August 14, 2012

May you continue to rest in peace, thank you for your service and helping to keep our Golden State great!

Shane G.

August 14, 2012

Your tragic experience was an influential piece in our early officer safety training during the late 70's. I honor your service and sacrifice, and hope you and your family take comfort in knowing that you continue to be a part of this job and our lives.

Sergeant John Costa (Retired)
Palo Alto Police Department, California

August 14, 2012

Both Ian Campbell & Karl Hettinger are with our Lord. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God".

Gregory Powell will now face he ultimate judgement for his actions.

Chief Greg Hostettler
Bradford Co., PA Detectives

August 14, 2012

I just read about your tragic story and am very sorry for your family's loss. Thank you for your service to the public.

Sean Torrens, Citizen, South Carolina

August 14, 2012

"All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there was a just man that perished in his righteousness, and there was a wicked man that prolonged his life in his wickedness."

- Ecclesiastes 7:15

May you find eternal peace knowing that we will always remember.

Chris Yarbrough
Citizen, North Carolina

August 14, 2012

The lingering pungent odor of onions has at last succumbed to the eternal beauty of the music of the "pipes". Peaceful rest, Ian Campbell. God is just.

Lieutenant Daryl L. Poe
Miami Twp. Police Department (Retired)

August 14, 2012

Justice has finally been served today, Officer Campbell, with the death of your killer. May you continue to rest in peace.

Anonymous

August 14, 2012