DELAWARE STATE POLICE PIPES & DRUMS
Captain Jason H. Sapp
The DSP Pipes and Drums is a Division of the DSP Honor
Guard Unit and currently consist of 18 performing members,
which includes one civilian drum instructor. Sergeant Dan
Meadows handles administrative duties for the band, in a
role that is commonly known as Pipe Major in traditional
Bagpipe bands. Pam Coupe continues to provide administrative
support with scheduling and event tracking duties.
In 2009, the band performed at a total of forty-four events.
Eighteen of these events were funerals. Unfortunately, five
of the funerals were for emergency personnel who gave their
lives in the performance of their duties. Two of the “Line
of Duty” funerals did occur in Delaware. Delaware City Fire
Company Emergency Medical Technician Michelle Smith was laid
to rest on January 5th, 2009 after being struck by a vehicle
while rendering medical aid at an automobile accident scene.
Georgetown Police Department Officer Chad Spicer’s funeral
services were held September 8th, 2009 after he was brutally
murdered by gunfire while on duty. The three remaining “Line
of Duty” funerals were for Philadelphia Police Department
Officer John Pawlowski February 20, 2009, Pennsylvania State
Trooper Josh Miller June 12, 2009, and Lakewood Washington
Police Department Sergeant Mark Renninger who was buried
December 11, 2009 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
In May of 2009, the DSP Pipes and Drums continued the
tradition of performances during memorial services at the
DSP Academy and Legislative Hall. These events were to honor
our brothers and sisters in law enforcement who have made
the sacrifice of their own lives in the preservation of
public safety. Other notable performances of 2009 were
headlined by the July 7, 2009 Promotional Ceremony where one
of the band’s founding members, Robert M. Coupe, was named
Superintendent of the Delaware State Police with his
promotion to the rank of Colonel. The band also continued
with annual appearances at the Wilmington St. Patrick’s Day
Parade, Winterthur’s Point-To-Point Steeplechase, and the
Opening Ceremonies of the Delaware Special Olympics.
The band continues to honor requests for playing at opening
ceremonies of Divisional events. The band also makes
appearances at community events that involve the Delaware
State Police.
Lastly, in November 2009 the band’s Drum Major, Corporal/1
Dan Salfas, was activated by the New Jersey Army National
Guard. Corporal/1 Salfas is currently serving a nine month
deployment to Baghdad, Iraq. The band eagerly awaits his
safe return to the United States.
- Information obtained from 2009 DSP Annual Report -
