Los Angeles: On January 27, 2005, the San Gabriel Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America honored San Gabriel resident Gary Brennan with the 2005 Distinguished Scouter Award. Mr. Brennan is a 32-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department and the current Chief of Detectives. Over the years, Deputy Chief Brennan has been a scout leader for Troop 222, and he has continued to support scout activities in subsequent years. He was joined by his wife of 31 years, Su, his daughter, Claire, and his parents. Deputy Chief Brennan's father, Patrick Brennan, is also a retired sergeant from the LAPD.

Veteran LA reporter, Stan Chambers was the master of ceremonies for the $75-a-plate dinner, held at the historic Los Angeles Police Academy in Elysian Park. Over 100 persons attended the event, among them current and retired high-ranking members of the LAPD, including South Pasadena Chief of Police Dan Watson, and LAPD Chief William Bratton, who delivered the keynote address on the importance of public service and service learning programs.

The dinner raised over $10,000 for the scout council, according to its chairman, Mr. Ken Caldwell, president of AON. The money will be used to support low-income boys whose families could not otherwise afford for them to participate in scouting.

Deputy Chief Brennan modestly accepted the award and drew a parallel between his service as a police officer and how scouting imbues similar values in its young men. His point was illustrated when about a dozen men stood as current police officers who were once boy scouts.

This news release was prepared by the Los Angeles Police Department's Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.