by Winston Chua

LOS ANGELES – The 2010 Eagle & Badge gala Saturday nighthonored individuals who have had a major impact on the community and haveestablished remarkable legacies in Los Angeles. The event was held at the HyattRegency Century Plaza Hotel, presented by the Los Angeles Police ProtectiveLeague’s Eagle and Badge Foundation in L.A. and produced by E & B EventChair Arthur M. Kassell.

Funds raisedthrough the event, entitled “In the Line of Duty Legacy Awards”, will benefitthe Eagle and Badge Foundation, which provides financial support for policeofficers and their families along with the children and community-basedorganizations in the community they serve.

CaliforniaAttorney General Jerry Brown presented Los Angeles County Sheriff Leroy D. Bacawith a 2010 Line of Duty Legacy Award. L.A. County District Attorney Steve Cooley presented Los Angeles Dodgerowner Frank McCourt with a legacy award as well. Kassel, a recipient of anaward who helped make the night’s event possible, joined KCBS Sports DirectorJim Hill and L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti in co-hosting the event.

L.A.P.D. ChiefCharlie Beck presented the 2010 Medal of Valor Awards, the L.A.P.D.’s highestand most prestigious honor for those who have displayed acts of extreme couragein facing imminent peril.

EntrepreneurPaula Kent Meehan of Beverly Hills, said, “I think Sheriff Baca has done anoutstanding job. I’ve been an admirer and respecter of his achievements. Thecontrol that is needed on a serious, conservative basis is what he’s giving.”

“When you lookat the police representing the city of Los Angeles, anytime you can show yourappreciation for what they do for us, you do it,” said former Dodgers managerTommy Lasorda, who gave the invocation Saturday. “They put their life on theline every day, because that’s what they want to do. So I’m proud to beassociated with the police because they are the best.”

Speaking ofthe Dodgers, Frank McCourt announced that he will invite all of the roughly10,000 members of the Los Angeles Police Department and their families to comeup to Dodgers Stadium, before the end of the year, at no cost.

This year’sDinner Committee chairs included Chief Charlie Beck and Robert M. Hertzberg.Co-chairs included Lasorda, Sylvester Stallone, among others.

“I’m heretonight because I support the efforts of Arthur Kassel. He is doing such greatwork on behalf of his late wife. I applaud his continued efforts,” said FoxNews anchorwoman Christine Devine. The journalist stood alongside friend andretired Santa Monica Police Officer Cristina Lopez. “And of course we all needour law enforcement, so to support law enforcement in Los Angeles is veryimportant.”

Devine wasamong more than a handful of celebrities and local politicians, who includedSharon Stone, Lasorda, Hill, Meehan, Gary Collins and screen legend Ruta Lee.

“It’s alwaysimportant to support the police. They are at the forefront of protecting ourcommunities. They lay their lives on the line for us and we should alwaysremember them,” said Beverly Hills participant Igor Korbatov.

Al Han,immediate past vice chairman of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County,said, “I think the LAPD has a tremendous task ahead of them and every copthat’s out on the beat takes a lot of risk in what they do. It’s really hard toenforce the law today, because every officer is worried about potentiallawsuits filed against them.”

Also attendingthe event were Tribune publisher Clif and Candace Smith, Beverly Hills ViceMayor Barry and Sue Brucker and Beverly Hills School Board Vice President LisaKorbatov. Los Angeles MayorAntonio Villaraigosa was also recognized.

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