President's Message
Dear NCLEES Member,
It is with a heavy heart that I must inform our member organizations that Richard
“DEZ” Desmond has suddenly passed away on January 3, 2019.
At the time of his passing, Richard Desmond was the President of the Camden
Co. Police and Fire Emerald Society; and the Drum Major of its Pipe and Drum
Band.
Richard Desmond also served as National President of the National Conference
of Law Enforcement Emerald Societies from 2005 to 2008.
Those of you who didn't know "Dez", he was the one with the bushy mustache
and the large black ostrich feathered hat either having a beer at the Irish Channel
or leading the Camden Pipe and Drums in most if not all our Memorial Marches
through the streets Washington DC sometimes “authorized” and some- times not
so authorized marches honoring our heroes during Police Week.
Whether “DEZ” had his whole New Jersey band in DC or not, he would never
leave a piper or drummer stranded always allowing them to march in his ranks.
Being the son of a FDNY Fire fighter and himself a retired Camden City (NJ)
Police Officer he was a strong supporter of all First Responders and those who
served and are presently serving in the Armed Forces.
While in Washington DC during Police Week, he always brought his band to
Walter Reed Army Hospital to perform for the veterans and the staff.
I would like to share one memorable moment Richie Desmond’s life.
On July 24, 1998, U. S. Capitol Police Officers Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson
were killed in the Capitol by a crazed gunman. On July 26, 1998, the Speaker of
the House Newt Gingrich order that these police officers lie in state in the
Rotunda of U.S. Capitol. With less than 48 hours Richie Desmond summoned
mass bands from New Jersey, New York, Chicago, Massachusetts, Ohio and
Kentucky to play at the Capitol and Arlington Cemetery. Richie served as the
Drum Major for the mass bands for this historical event. Never in the history of
this country, have two police officers lied in state in the Rotunda with the
presence of a large gathering of police pipebands. This event was broadcasted
nationwide. On May 13, 1999, Congress passed a Resolution recognizing the
efforts of National Conference of Law Enforcement Emerald Societies for this
historical event. Without the efforts of Richie Desmond, this monumental effort
would not have been accomplished.
There is no greater praise I can give a fellow law enforcement officer than to call
him or her a "Cop’s Cop"; and Richie was just that a Cop’s Cop.
I am confident that Richie, along with Jimmy O’Connell (Chicago Emerald
Society-Midnight Piper) and Pipe Major Finbar Devine (NYPD Pipes and Drums)
are forming up a Pipeband in heaven. It is a pipeband that will play heavenly
tunes for eternity.
Richie Desmond will be sorely missed both at the national level and his local
level in his home state of New Jersey. We thank his family for sharing his life with
us.
*The funeral for Des is set for next Wednesday (1/9) at St Agnes Church, Coles Rd & Little Gloucester Rd, Gloucester Twp. Viewing will be from 0900 to 1200, with a mass at Noon. Repast is immediately following at Bellmawr Fire Dept, Lewis Ave Bellmawr.
May he rest in peace.
Michael Newton
National President-NCLEES
2nd Vice President Chuck Meissler
Past President Pat O'Brien
Dear NCLEES Member,
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in San Diego for the upcoming Fall Business Meeting. Also, I would like to thank the San Diego Emerald Society for all their hard work in putting together this event.
On May 14, 2020 NCLEES will be holding the National Election for all positions. Persons interested in running should submit their Letter of Intent no later than March 1, 2020. The forms can be found on the NCLEES website. In order to participate in the election, organizations must be a member in good standing and dues must be paid for 2019 and 2020. Dues must be paid no later than March 30, 2020.
Thanks to the efforts put forth by Past President, Dennis Long, we were able to secure lodging for the May 2020 Conference at the Capital Skyline Hotel on 10 I Street SW Washington, DC for $219 per night. Additional information will be forthcoming.
Again, I’m looking forward to seeing each of you in San Diego. The San Diego Emerald Society has always hosted an outstanding event. I truly believe this will be a stellar experience.
Fraternally,
Mike Newton
April 17, 2020
Greetings,
I hope everyone is staying healthy and well during these unprecedented times. These are certainly challenging times for all Public Safety Officers. As a result of the pandemic, all Police Week activities have been cancelled, postponing the National Conference of Law Enforcement Emerald Societies’ National Convention. Many of our activities will be postponed until the Fall Business Meeting in Arizona.
In regards to the election of the new Executive Board members, all positions were uncontested. As of May 15, 2020, the new Executive Board will be as follows:
President Robert Kerns – Jersey City PES
1st Vice President Sean McCarthy – Boston PES
2nd Vice President Andrew Hale – St. Louis PES
3rd Vice President Thomas Cody – Illinois PES
Executive Director William Tinker – New Haven PES
Treasurer John Rowley – Essex County ES
Recording Secretary Cynthia Schultz – Jersey City PES
Financial Secretary Mark Matthews – Atlanta PES
Sergeant at Arms Brian Burke – San Francisco PES
I would like to thank the outgoing Executive Board and Committee members for their hard work and a job well done. Additionally, I would like to thank the Board of Directors and the membership of this organization for the twenty-four good years that I spent as a member of the Executive Board. Especially, the last three years as the president which certainly has been a high point in my law enforcement career.
Thank You and God Bless,
Michael P. Newton
National President
NCLEES
