There’s another parole hearing coming up next week that has our full attention.
Officer Ian J. Campbell
EOW: March 9, 1963
If you haven’t heard the name Gregory Powell, you have probably heard of the infamous “Onion Field” case. It was a best-selling book by Joseph Wambaugh and later a movie starring James Woods – but the most important thing to remember is that these depictions were based on a true story and a real tragedy.
Powell was convicted of abducting LAPD Officer Ian Campbell and his partner, Officer Karl Hettinger, on March 6, 1963, after the officers stopped Powell and his cohort, Jimmy Lee Smith, for a routine traffic violation. Powell disarmed the officers by pulling a gun on Campbell and holding him hostage.
With a gun held to his ribs, Officer Campbell was forced to drive to an onion field near Bakersfield. He and Officer Hettinger were ordered to stand outside with their hands in the air. Then Powell shot Campbell in the face. Officer Hettinger was able to elude his captors, but was haunted by the incident his entire life.
For the killing, Smith and Powell both were originally sentenced to death, but the sentences were reduced to life after court decisions that temporarily stopped executions in the 1970s.
Powell is having a parole hearing on January 27. As we have at every parole hearing, the League is imploring the Parole Board to deny Powell’s application (click here to view our letter), and we are asking our officers and the community to do the same. Please send your letters right away requesting denial of parole for inmate Gregory Powell, CDC# A-57622, to:
Parole Board
California Board of Prison Terms
c/o California Men’s Colony
P.O. Box 8101
San Luis Obispo, CA 93409-8101
We will never show any tolerance for the killing of police officers. Law enforcement and the community at large must send a clear message that in a civilized society, the murder of police officers is unacceptable – and those who undermine the very fiber of public safety must expect the harshest possible treatment available under the law.
