Neil Purcell

I was born in Orange, California, on February 12, 1940. My family moved to Balboa Peninsula in 1942. I attended Newport Elementary School (14th and West Balboa Blvd), Horace Ensign School, (Newport Heights) Newport Harbor High School and Orange Coast College. Later, I got my Bachelor Degree from the University of Redlands.

I had planned to major in theology at the University of Redlands and to become a minister. I got the bug to become a police officer when I was 18, about a month from graduation from Newport Harbor High, when I had an encounter with an armed burglary suspect that was loose on the Peninsula. I had chased the suspect after finding him hiding in a bay front summer home outdoor shower stall. He pointed a gun in my face and stated a few choice words. He then took off running. All this time I was yelling for someone to call the police. He ran to a home and broke in and went and opened the front door and extended his arm holding a gun. An officer yelled to me to get down, which I did and then there was an exchange of fire between the suspect and the police. Several bullets passed over me as I hugged the brick porch floor. I ran over to a police officer and the suspect fired at a motor officer who returned fire and hit the suspect in the shoulder. The suspect gave up and surrendered. I was taken to the police department on 32nd Street and interviewed by a detective. Chief John Upson thanked me for my efforts, etc., and then proceeded to ream me a “new one.” This incident changed my career path forever.

On February 12, 1961, my 21st birthday, I was sworn in as a Reserve Police Officer by none other than Chief Upson. In May of 1964, I became a Regular Officer and was assigned as a “cover unit.” On August 3, 1964, I, along with four other officers, started our first day at the Los Angeles Police Academy. Every day at the Academy was like a dream to me. I became a little nervous as time got closer to graduation day because with two weeks to go, the other four officers had been cut. Needless to say, graduation day, October 23, 1964, was a glorious day for me.

(Neil enjoyed his first 4 years. He worked Beat One for two years, rode a three wheeler motorcycle for a year, and then was assigned to the F-Unit for little over a year. There

are way too many stories to tell and I can’t talk about some of the crazy stuff that went on.)

It was so great working with many of the old guys such as Jim parker, Jim Spears, Doug Dein, Phil Hall, Curt Sissle, Stan Bressler, Jon Schorle, Sam Amburgey, Gary Chung, Lt. Bill Blue, Lt. Ernie Laurin, Lt. Earl Stoneback (former father-in-law), Capt. Mac, Gary Petersen, Bob Hardy, Rick Miller, Wally Kerr, Kelson McDaniel, Rich Fox, Todd Wilkinson, Bob Briscoe, Les Chapman, Bob Brockie, Gerry Nikas, Richard Heinecke, Al Epstein Jim Golfos, Ken Smith, Tom Shearn, Ron Speedling, Scotty MacGregor, Don Picker, crazy Jim Mayo and some really outstanding Reserve Officers, great dispatchers and record clerks and many other great members of the NBPD. Last but not least, “Scoop” Koehler. Unfortunately, my time with NBPD all came to an end on June 28, 1968.

Two weeks prior, I was given a direct order that I could not have any contact with Michelle Holt, who was in the process of getting a divorce from her husband, Chuck Holt. I was no longer living with my wife and was in the process of going through a divorce.

Chief Glavas called me into his office and advised me I was being fired for seeing a married woman. I was prepared for the bad news so I had written out a resignation letter. Chief Glavas read the letter and then told me that I could resign.

In August, 1968, I applied for a job at Laguna Beach Police Department. Chief Harry Labrow, also a Captain from LAPD, interviewed me. As I left his office, Chief Labrow proudly stated, “I think you’ll like wearing blue.”

The first couple of months were pretty tough on me. No one believed that I would just leave NBPD and come to LBPD. They accused me of being a snitch; I was on an I. A. mission, a witch hunt, etc. Some tried to set me up, while others “conveniently” could not follow me up when I requested a follow up. This all changed in time though, which is a story in itself.

(Neil was appointed as a Narcotic Detective in March 1969, promoted to Sergeant in September of 1970, remaining in narcotics, promoted to Lieutenant in October 1973, promoted to Captain in September of 1975 and appointed to Chief of Police in January 1981, retiring in March of 1997, as the longest serving Chief of Police in LBPD history.)

Two years after retiring, I was asked by the City of Anderson, in Shasta County, California, if I would be their Interim Chief of Police. I was there for one year until a police chief was appointed. During that year, I initiated, planned and coordinated the largest methamphetamine investigation in the history of Northern California and with the assistance of BNE and 75 uniform officers from four other counties, conducted a raid of a one block apartment complex resulting in several arrests, and most importantly, the closing of the complex. In April 2002, the City Manager of Anderson called me and said that the new chief did not work out and would I consider coming back as Chief of

Police for a longer period of time. We worked out an arrangement so as not to interfere with my retirement. I was at Anderson Police Department for four years, ending my tenure in May, 2006.

Michelle and I were married on July 20, 1969 at 2:00 p.m.; the day and hour Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon. A lot of the folks at NBPD said our relationship would not last six months. They were off a few months. We will have our 41st wedding anniversary this upcoming July. We have four children between us now. I lost my oldest daughter, Tina, in 2002. We have seven grand children.

Michelle and I live on a small two acre ranch in Big Sky, Montana. Michelle breeds Gypsy horses, which is a rare breed introduced to the United States just a few years back. Michelle had the first three Gypsy horses in the State of Montana and is the first person in the United States to introduce the Gypsy horse to western versatility. Her prize mare has won many “Blue” ribbons and holds the title of Grand Champion Mare in 2008.

Lastly, I want to compliment Stan Bressler for his leadership, the organizers, officers and contributors of the NBPD Retiree’s Association, for the outstanding job they all have done. I feel privileged and honored to be a member. I look forward in the future to share some of the funny things that happened when I was with NBPD.

Prepared by Stan Bressler 6-10