Concert Benefitting American Soldiers for LAPD Officer Joshua Cullins

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department Officer Joshua J. Cullins, currently serving as a U.S. Marine staff sergeant in Afghanistan, was injured July 16, 2010, when a roadside bomb detonated near where he  was working as part of an Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team.  

On Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010, from 7 p.m. to about 9:30 p.m., the west patio area of Farmers Market, located at 6333 West 3rd Street in Los Angeles, will feature “Welcome Home: A Tribute to our Troops” with a special tribute to LAPD Officer Cullins.  

In July when Cullins was injured, fellow police officers created a get-well video to encourage him in his recovery.  LAPD Officer David Marroquin, a talented video producer off duty, created two videos.  The first one is a high-quality, uplifting video incorporating get-well messages from LAPD personnel and others outside the Department to express their gratitude for Cullins’ service.  It also includes thoughts and prayers for his quick recovery.

For the second video, Marroquin enlisted the help of an actor-musician friend, J. Hunter Ackerman, who wrote a song with Cullins in mind.  Both then collaborated to turn the song into a moving music video entitled
“Welcome Home.”  Both videos can be viewed at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0JEnKrsRHQ.  At the Farmers Market event, Marroquin will present his projects with Ackerman performing the song live.  

A few notes of interest about the video…one of the scenes depicts a young man going into a barber shop to get his military haircut while preparing to serve.  The featured barber shop is located in Farmers Market.  Also, it is  expected that many of those featured in the original get-well video will also be in attendance, including LAPD command staff.  The event will be a special night to honor all of the brave men and woman serving in our armed forces.  The LAPD currently has 50 officers on military leave from the Department serving in various branches of the armed services around the world.

Many of the businesses within Farmers Market will be donating a portion of their proceeds to the “Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation,” a nonprofit organization that raises money for victims of EOD explosions and their families.  

For additional information, contact Officer David Marroquin at 213-485-4328 or the LAPD Media Relations Section at 213-486-5910.