It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bagpiper Freddie Crockett on July 26, 2017. Freddie, was a founding member of the New York City Transit Police Irish War Pipe Band in the mid 1960’s and was stalwart in the piping community. Fred, or Freddie as everyone called him, joined the NYPD Pipes and Drums after the merger of the three police departments in 1995. Freddie’s Irish wit and charm along with his vast experience in piping had a positive effect on the band. Retired Detective Sgt. NYPD, Intelligence Division/Gang Unit, U.S. Navy Veteran-Korea-USS Henley DD-762, founding member and first president of the NYPD Navy Association. Freddie will be truly missed but is now reunited with the love of his life Sophia and son
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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Drum Major Phil Thompson on September 14, 2015. As a iconic member of the band, Phil joined in the 1970’s first as a member of the Color Guard and later as a Piper. In time he achieved the rank of Pipe Sgt. and then ultimately Drum Major, his true calling, when he took over after the passing of Finbar Devine, then the first and only Band Drum Major who had held the position for some 35 years.
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The Pipes and Drums of the New York Police Department Emerald Society mourns the death of our long time Friend and Supporter George Murphy age 67, a retired Detective formerly assigned to the Bomb Squad. He passed away suddenly from an apparent heart attack, while at a marina in New Jersey on Saturday August 22nd. George grew up in Brooklyn in a family of 8 children. As a young man he soon found himself in the Army where he attained the rank of sergeant serving from 1968-1971. He took great pride in his military service, he spent a tour in Vietnam as a pathfinder, an extremely dangerous
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On August 20th, 2014, Piper Bob Hogan, retired Captain in the NYPD and former Bandmaster and Pipe Major, was tragically killed in a boating accident off the north shore of Long Island.
Through out his five decades with the band, Bob remained an extremely active member. His experience and dedication made him an invaluable asset to older and newer members alike. His sudden loss has shaken his comrades in the Band and his tragic departure will be felt for years to come. Outstanding gentlemen like Bob Hogan don’t come along often, the NYPD Emerald Society and Pipe Band were blessed to have him in the band. Rest in Peace Bob.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years Rosemary and 3 adult children Grace, Colleen and Michael.
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Police Officer Stephen P. Driscoll was born on the fourth of July, 1963 in the Bronx, NY. After proudly serving his country as a Seabee in the United States Navy, Steve joined the NYPD. Steve was a proud member of the Emerald Society, and in 1998, Steve became a member of the Color Guard of the Pipe Band. Ironically, Steve and Pat O’Connor both were members of the color guard of the NYPD Pipes & Drums, as well as members of the department’s Emergency Services Unit (ESU).
So many of the police fatalities on September 11, 2001, were members of that elite unit because aside from being our version of a SWAT team, our ESU is charged also with performing rescue operations. Police Officer Stephen Driscoll was among the heroes of that awful day that didn’t make it, along with 22 other NYPD Officers. Steve left behind his wife and young son. The band will forever miss him, but takes solace in knowing that Pat O’Connor greeted him upon his entrance to heaven and no doubt the two are swapping war stories as you read this. May God rest the band’s two line of duty heroes.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
John 15:13
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On November 24, 1971 at approximately 2130 hours, Patrolman and Pipe Band Member Patrick O’Connor, shield No. 19270, of Emergency Service Truck 1, and his partner, Patrolman Maurice Fitzgerald shield No. 2887 of Emergency Service Truck 6, were assigned to Radio Emergency Patrol Unit Adam-Six. While proceeding westbound on the Gowanus Expressway Near 55th Street, they observed a motorist stopped in the right lane completing the change of a flat tire. The Patrolmen placed their vehicle about twenty feet to the rear of the disabled vehicle and activated their emergency dome light in order to protect the motorist, who was in a hazardous position. Before the motorist could complete his repair and be on his way, the Emergency Patrol Vehicle was struck in the rear by a fuel oil truck causing the Vehicle to jump forward, sideswiping another civilian vehicle, bouncing off the center divider and finally come to rest against the right guardrail of the expressway, 215 feet from the scene of the collision. Both Patrolmen were pinned in their vehicle requiring extrication, then rushed to Lutheran Medical Center. Patrolman Fitzgerald was admitted with serious injuries, but Patrolman Pat O’Connor succumbed to his. Patrolman O’Connor is survived by his wife Ann, and four children; Patrick, and James who are now a band members themselves, Anne Marie and Maureen.
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Police Officer Stephen P. Driscoll was born on the fourth of July, 1963 in the Bronx, NY. After proudly serving his country as a Seabee in the United States Navy, Steve joined the NYPD. Steve was a proud member of the Emerald Society, and in 1998, Steve became a member of the Color Guard of the Pipe Band. Ironically, Steve and Pat O’Connor both were members of the color guard of the NYPD Pipes & Drums, as well as members of the department’s Emergency Services Unit (ESU).
