Page 12 - MSP Pipes & Drums 20th Anniversary Booklet

The History Of The Massachusetts State Police Pipes and Drums

The use of bagpipes at funerals was a tradition dating back to the Celtic Clans of Scotland and Ireland. The
practice of using bagpipes at the funerals of firefighters and police officers began in the 19th century in cities
like Boston and New York, where many police officers and firefighters were Irish and Scottish immigrants.

The Massachusetts State Police Pipes & Drums was conceived in 1994, after the tragic line of duty death of
Trooper Mark S. Charbonnier. Mr. Iain Massie, a Scotsman and former chief bagpipe instructor for the Royal
Scots Dragoon Guards, approached the job and offered to instruct troopers in learning to play the bagpipes.

Captain Robert Bird of the Public Affairs Section was directed by Deputy Superintendent Lieutenant Colonel
Thomas Kennedy to seek interested members of the department. On October 26, 1994 Superintendent
Colonel Charles Henderson authorized a teletype item seeking volunteers for forming a bagpipe and drum
unit. On December 1, 1994 the first meeting of troopers interested in forming the Pipes and Drums was held
at the General Headquarters in Framingham. Mr. Massie proposed to those present that a corps of sworn
Massachusetts State Police Troopers undertake the formation of a volunteer pipe and drum band. The
playing standards and dress standards would be of the highest possible caliber, in keeping with the
prestigious tradition of the Massachusetts State Police, and to proudly represent the job throughout the
Commonwealth and the Nation.

The initial training for a bagpiper requires a great deal of practice and commitment, with nearly three years of
training before being ready to fully perform a variety of the band's music. The Pipes and Drums was officially
established in January of 1995 when the lessons began. For nearly two years the founding members of the
band worked to acquire the skills necessary for them to perform in public, and the band had their debut
performance in June of 1996 at the Massachusetts State Police Memorial Service. The band performed in
their class A uniform, and although it was June, they wore garrison covers. The summer campaign cover could
not be worn because the drones of the bagpipes constantly struck the covers, knocking them askew. There
were only six original members at that performance, all of which were bagpipers: Michael Wilmot, Armand
Ouellette, Sean Maloney, Richard Cronin, Robert Harrington and Joseph Liberty.

The band grew to sixteen members over the next two years, and as part of beginning the incorporation
process, elected band officers. Unlike most police and fire bands, The Massachusetts State Police Pipes and
Drums restricted membership in the band to active and retired members of the Massachusetts State Police.

On March 26, 1997, after conferring with the department’s staff counsel, Colonel Reed Hillman authorized
the use of the name Massachusetts State Police Pipes & Drums and approved the current shoulder patch of
the band. The band incorporated as a non-profit organization in June of 1997. Band uniforms were designed
and purchased, complete with kilts and insignia. Later in 1997, Edward Horton became the drum major,
completing a full parade-ready pipes and drums band. The drum major carries the Department fallen with
him, with the name of every Department member killed in the line of duty, including their end of watch date,
on a scroll displayed on the drum majors' sash.