EAGLE & BADGE GALA PAYS TRIBUTE TO LAPD’S FALLEN SWAT OFFICER RANDAL SIMMONS AND CIVIC LEADERS JULY 19TH

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED LIVE AUCTION LED BY SHARON STONE AND MUSICAL PERFORMANCES BY THELMA HOUSTON AND J BOYKIN

LOS ANGELES, CA, July 22, 2008 – The Eagle & Badge Foundation of the Los Angeles Police Protective League had over 1,000 guests on hand July 19th at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel as they honored law enforcement, government and community philanthropic notables such as Jane Boeckmann (Valley Magazine) & Bert Boeckmann (Galpin Motors/former Police Commission President), Hon. Jerry Brown (Attorney General, State of California), Tina & Rick Caruso (Caruso Affiliates/former Police Commission President), Rudy Durand (producer/writer/director), Michele Leonhart (Acting Administrator, US DEA), AND Major General Douglas Pearson (V.P., Lockheed Martin, U.S. Air Force, retired), LAPD SWAT officer James Veenstra… with an emotional tribute to our Fallen SWAT Officer Randal Simmons.

KCBS sports news anchor Jim Hill co-hosted the show along with Event Chair/Executive Producer Arthur M. Kassel and featured special presentations by Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush and KTTV news anchor Christine Devine. The Los Angeles Police Protective League and the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel were the key sponsors.

Honorary Chair Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa addressed the enthusiastic guests as well as Dinner Chair Elliot Broidy amd Vice Chair Peter Repovich who thanked the committee and supporters. Additional presenters included former Governor Gray Davis, LAPD Chief William Bratton, LA County Sheriff Lee Baca and Congressman Dana Rohrbacher, along with LAPPL’s Presidend Tim Sands, LAPD SWAT Lt. Mike Albaniz, evangelist Benny Hinn, US Marshall Tony Amador (past president of the LAPPL), media executive Chuck Ashman and Tony Chapa from the US Secret Service. Throughout the evening, the tireless work and sacrifice that the members of the LAPD do and give to their communities were cited by the presenters and honorees.

The special tribute to our fallen SWAT Officer Randal Simmons featured a 5 minute video presentation created by Associated Television. It was opened by a special introduction from The Tonight Show’s Jay Leno, and featured a message from Smokey Robinson, along with excerpts from the family life and the LAPD tribute to their lost comrade.

A highlight of the evening was the entertaining live auction presided over by Sharon Stone, who began with her own heartfelt thoughts of respect and gratitude for the men and women who serve in law enforcement and her desire that they receive their due. Stone recalled a time when children were brought up with the image of a police officer as someone you could go to for advice or help in the absence of their parents. She reminded the crowd that even today her respect and reverence for the job they do stemmed from that upbringing and its something she hopes to pass on to her own children.

Performances included saxophone artist J. Boykin, who opened the evening with an inspired rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, hilarious comedian Norm Crosby and R&B legend Thelma Houston, who closed the show with a rousing set of her classic songs.

"The event was an outstanding success - not only financially but also with the dramatic outpouring of support and compassion for the family of Officer Randal SImmons, for Officer James Veenstra, and all the brave men and women of the LAPD. I was proud to be a part of such a remarkable evening," said Arthur M. Kassel, Event Chair and Pres/CEO of the Eagle & Badge Foundation.

Other celebrities attending included Lou Ferrigno, Jodie Sweetin, Kel Mitchell, Hugh O’Brian, Robin Coleman (“American Gladiator”), William Romeo (“American Gladiator”), Ron Masak (“Murder She Wrote”), songstress Carol Connors, Y&R’s Kate Lindner, perennial film ‘bad guy’ Mickey Jones, Dominic Daniel (Freedom Writers, Disturbia) and more.

Funds raised at the dinner gala will benefit three charities including

• The Eagle & Badge Foundation - which provides scholarships and financial support for police officers, their children along with the special needs of the children in the community they serve.

• The Tichi Wilkerson Kassel Parkinson’s Foundation - which funds research and special need cases of those afflicted with Parkinson's.

• The Glory Kids - the personal charity of Officer Randal Simmons which offers aid and programs for underprivileged and at-risk youth.

To see more photos from the event, Click here