Labor Lifetime Achievement Award
Gil Coerper | Retired, Huntington Beach Police Department
Councilman, City of Huntington Beach
Gil Coerper graduated with an Associate in Arts degree from Golden West College in 1977. After serving in the Navy, he joined the California State Military Reserves, where he retired a Lt. Colonel. He served 39 years on the Huntington Beach Police Force, retiring in June 2002. Gil was then elected to the Huntington Beach City council that same year, and again in 2006. He became Mayor in 2007.
Gil Coerper was presented the Award of Merit by The Boy Scouts of America, and then the Silver Beaver National Recognition Award – their highest award! Gil has given “retirement” a new meaning – serving as an advisor on the Executive board of the Huntington Beach Search and Rescue Post, a leader for the Military Boy Scouts Explorer Post based at Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base, an advisor on the California Police Officers Memorial foundation and as a congressional appointee to the Military Selection committee for the US Military Academy at West Point. In his town of Huntington Beach, Gil serves on the children’s Needs Task Force; the Library Board; the Human Relations Task Force; the Council on Aging; and the citizen Participation Advisory Board. Golden West College is proud to have been at the beginning of Gil Coerper’s remarkable and long-standing service to our community and our nation.
Gil Coerper served as a sworn office with the Huntington Beach Police Department for 39 years. During the time Gil proudly served on the Board of Directors for the HBPOA in all capacities including several terms as President. Gil has always pushed HBPOA to be involved the labor side of statewide concerns and matters. Gil was on the original PORAC Memorial Committee and transitioned to an active board member of the California Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation when it was formed. Gil worked with other member of the foundation along with members of the legislature to help establish the current Peace Officers Memorial. Gil continues to be an active committee member of CPOMF.
Upon retiring from HBPD Gil was elected to the Huntington Beach City Council. Gil is now serving on his 3rd term. Throughout Gil’s time on the City Council he has done an outstanding job educating his colleagues on the Council about the police department and labor issues. Gil has also made an point to continuously educate Council member about the California Peace Offices’ Memorial. Gil has personally escorted the members of the Huntington Beach City Council to the ceremonies since he has been on the council. Recently if you would have peeked into Gil’s garage you would have seen him putting fellow council member and the new Huntington Beach City Administer working making the photo buttons that the families of fallen offices will be wearing at the 2009 CPOMF. This year he will be bringing new city council members, the City Administrator, the Chief of Police, and a Police Captain to the ceremony.
