The Wilmington Police Pipes and Drums provides bagpipe music for a variety of ceremonial occasions. The Band serves the Police Department by performing at officer/employee involved funeral and memorial events, other ceremonial functions, and other events as approved by the Chief of Police.
Members
Members of the Pipe & Drum Band include regular members of the Police Department, Police Department Retirees, Police Retirees from other jurisdictions, and volunteers from the community. The band currently includes two retirees from NYPD, one retired PA State Trooper, and a former Wrightsville Beach Police Officer.
Funding
Any donations or performance fees earned by the band are placed into a special fund and used for pipe band equipment and supply expenses.
Band Leaders
The Band’s Pipe Major is Tom Tilmon, who is currently a Sergeant with the Wilmington Police Department. The band manager and Pipe Sergeant is Matt Hinson, a retired Lieutenant from the Wilmington Police Department. Lt. Hinson and Sgt. Tilmon are both original members of the band from its inception, the founding fathers so to speak. The Drum Sergeant is Joe Dolan, who is currently an Officer at the Wilmington Police Department, and also an NYPD Retiree.
Other Information
Since the inception of the Wilmington Police Pipes and Drums, the Band has offered free bagpipe and drum lessons to those who are interested in joining the band. The band practices and beginner lessons are held each Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. at WPD Headquarters.
Past performances include:
- Police Officer Funerals
- Other Public Safety Personnel Funerals
- Military Funerals
- Police Memorials
- Military Memorials
- 9/11 Memorial Ceremonies
- Retired Police Officer Funerals
- BLET Graduation Ceremonies
- Promotional Ceremonies
- Fire Department Ceremonies/Functions
- St. Patrick’s Day Parades
- Azalea Festival Parades
- Martin Luther King Day
- Parades
- School Presentations
- Domestic Violence Rallies
- City Council Meetings