« Patrick Dempsey Tops ''50 Sexiest Men on TV''; INSIDE TV's July 4-17 Special Double-Issue Cover Story (on Newsstands June 30) | Main | The big picture: A look at how the 2005 Emmy race is shaping up »
July 06, 2005
Blue to benefit in a Big Bad way
Fundraiser for police memorial museum features live music from Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, silent auction.
By Mark R. Madler
The Burbank Leader
RANCHO DISTRICT -- A weekend fundraiser for a proposed police museum in the nation's capital is getting some star power.
Emmy Award-winning actor Bradley Whitford will be the master of ceremonies for "Cool Blue: A Night of Respect" set for Saturday night at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.
As emcee, Whitford -- who stars on "The West Wing" -- will have the duty of getting past the officiating and bring on the fun and entertainment, said Michael Hastings, a member of the event's organizing committee.
"We want to reflect on those who have fallen and given their lives in protection of others, yet we want to celebrate their lives and the lives of those left behind," Hastings said.
Joining Whitford will be actress Marlee Matlin, who has appeared on "The West Wing" and is married to a Los Angeles-area police officer.
Proceeds benefit the planned $80-million museum housing photos, plaques and other objects left by visitors to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial on Judiciary Square in Washington.
The fundraiser, which includes a silent auction and live music by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, is the culmination of an effort kicked off last fall by the city's business community and the Burbank Police Officers Assn.
Among the donors are Crown Realty & Development, owner of the Burbank Town Center Mall; the Walt Disney Co.; Warner Bros. Studios; M. Cunningham Realtors; the city of Burbank; Cusumano Real Estate Group; and NBC/Universal.
A near-sell out crowd is expected at the event, a development pleasing to Burbank Police Det. Joe Dean, another of the organizers.
When the museum is eventually built, the public will learn more than just about the officers who died in the line of duty, Dean said.
"A Smithsonian-style museum is a great way for the public to experience what we do," Dean said.
The Burbank Police Department was among the first in the nation to contribute to the memorial, which was dedicated in 1991.
The memorial is inscribed with about 15,000 names of officers killed in the line of duty.
The Burbank department has five officers listed, including officer Matthew Pavelka, who was killed in the line of duty in November 2003.
As part of an $80-million campaign, departments all over the country are raising money for the museum.
Posted by Jo at July 6, 2005 06:48 PM